Genital Herpes
The UK NSC policy on Genital Herpes screening in pregnancy
More Information
Herpes Simplex virus infection usually occurs on the face causing small blisters which are called 'cold sores'.
The virus can infect any area of skin, but as it is passed on by direct skin-to-skin contact with friction, it occurs mostly on the face, hands (where it causes Herpetic Whitlows) or, once a person is sexually active, on the genital or anal areas where it is called Genital Herpes Simplex. Cold sores are extremely common: by the age of twelve years, one quarter of children have contracted the virus, mostly without having any noticeable symptoms.
» Read more about genital herpes on the Contact a Family website
Policy Position
Antenatal screening for genital herpes should not be offered.
This policy was reviewed in Jul 2006 but no significant changes were made. It is due to be considered again in 2013/14, or earlier if significant new evidence emerges.
Evidence Supporting the Policy
The Antenatal Subgroup considered a paper on antenatal screening for genital herpes (below), which was based on a review of the evidence and assessment against UK NSC criteria.
See also: Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Clinical Guidelines no. 30: Management of Genital Herpes in pregnancy March 2002
The information available nationally on the incidence of neonatal herpes is not up to date, so herpes is currently being considered by the British Paediatric Surveillance Unit - see BPSU neonatal herpes simplex virus
Stakeholders
Health Protection Agency
Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
The stakeholder groups will be involved when the policy is next reviewed. If you think your organisation should be added, please contact us.
Related documents
Antenatal screening for genital herpes (2001) (PDF document, 35KB, 27/05/11)Evaluation of asymtomatic herpes simplex virus type 2 infection against NSC Handbook criteria (2005) (PDF document, 49KB, 27/05/11)
