Congenital Herpes Birth Injury

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a common viral infection that is the cause of cold sores and sexually transmitted herpes outbreaks. Known as congenital herpes simplex when it is transmitted to an infant during pregnancy or birth, it can affect the infant’s brain, causing encephalitis that results in seizures.1 In the most severe of cases, it can also affect an infant’s lungs, liver, and kidneys, and may lead to death.2 Failure of an OB-GYN, midwife, or other medical professional to confirm the existence of HSV in a patient (and also a patient’s partner or spouse) who knowingly has the virus can...

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