Can herpes be passed on to children?

Herpes is a disease caused by a virus of the herpesviridae family. It is not an independent disease. Common diseases include chickenpox, shingles, herpes simplex, genital herpes, etc. Because it is caused by a virus, anyone can get the disease, so many parents worry that their children will be infected with herpes. So, can herpes be passed on to children? Let’s take a closer look below.

Herpes refers to a disease caused by viruses of the herpesviridae family. Currently, there are eight viruses in the herpesviridae family (herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2, varicella-zoster virus, human cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus and human herpes virus types 6, 7, and 8) that are known to cause human diseases. These viruses are collectively referred to as human herpesviruses (HHVs). HHV is a group of medium-sized enveloped DNA viruses that can cause a variety of diseases in humans and can remain latent in the body for a long time, causing recurrent infection under certain conditions. Common clinical diseases include chickenpox, shingles, herpes simplex, and genital herpes. It can invade multiple organs of the human body and can occur at any age.

Shingles is not contagious.

Herpes simplex and genital herpes are caused by the herpes simplex virus and manifest as localized, painful blisters that appear in clusters and recur periodically. It is mainly transmitted through sexual intercourse, and secondly through indirect contact, mother-to-child transmission, and medical-related infection.

Chickenpox is a common infectious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Chickenpox is a manifestation of the acute invasion phase of the virus, while herpes zoster is a manifestation of reactivation of the latent phase. There are two main routes of transmission:

1. Respiratory tract infection. When you have chickenpox, the virus is present in the herpes fluid, blood and oral secretions. So if your baby has chickenpox, coughing and sneezing may cause infection to the children and adults around him.

Chickenpox is prone to spread in groups such as nurseries and kindergartens.

2. Transmission through contact. Contact with eating utensils, toys, bedding and towels contaminated with the varicella virus can cause infection, so varicella often spreads among children in nurseries, kindergartens, etc. It is worth mentioning that chickenpox cannot be transmitted indirectly through immune third parties.