There are two types of herpes infections: Herpes type I (oral herpes) and herpes type II (genital herpes). Both forms of herpes are contagious infections, usually characterized by blisters or sores around the mouth or genitals. Sometimes, though, there are no physical symptoms of herpes.
A woman who is infected with genital herpes may put her baby at risk of developing herpes or may have complications during her pregnancy due to the infection. A baby can develop oral herpes as well, but this is less common, according to MedlinePlus.
The Dangers of Genital Herpes for an Unborn Child
For a woman who has genital herpes and is pregnant, it is essential that a prenatal care provider provide proper care in treating the condition. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, genital herpes sometimes can lead to a miscarriage. Additionally, it can lead to a preterm birth, and/or the infection might be transmitted to the unborn baby. The latter is a condition known as neonatal herpes, which is a potentially deadly condition. Finally, an infant can contract genital herpes at birth.
Treatment for Herpes While Pregnant
If you are a woman who has or may have herpes, your prenatal care provider should test you for the sexually transmitted infection. If your prenatal care provider fails you to diagnose you with herpes, your baby may be at risk.
If your prenatal care provider does diagnose you with herpes, then you should be given herpes medications toward the end of the pregnancy. Additionally, if you display symptoms of herpes at the time your baby should be delivered, it is often necessary for your doctor to perform a cesarean section. By failing to perform a cesarean section, your baby may be at a higher risk of infection.
Throughout the duration of your pregnancy, it is essential that your prenatal care provider diagnose your infection, monitor the infection, issue warnings, take any action necessary to offer proper treatment and care, and perform a cesarean section at the time of birth if necessary.
Holding a Prenatal Care Provider Liable for Damages
If your prenatal care provider failed to take the necessary and reasonable steps to reduce your baby’s risk of contracting herpes, you may be able to recover damages by filing a medical malpractice lawsuit for damages. This requires proving not only that the doctor was negligent in failing to provide proper care, but also establishing that this negligence contributed to transmission of infection from mother to child.
If successful, you may be able to recover damages, including medical expenses and future medical expenses for your child, pain and suffering experienced by you and your child, and more. STD lawyers in New York from our firm can help figure out which damages may be recoverable, given the circumstances of your case.
Give Our New York Lawyers for Genital Herpes Infections a Call
If your baby has been harmed, the best thing that you can do for both yourself and your child is to recover the amount of damages that will be necessary for providing your child with the best care. At Gacovino, Lake & Associates, P.C., our attorneys can help you to do just that.
Let our legal team help you. Call us now at 800-550-0000 or use our contact form to set up a free consultation regarding your case. We’ll help determine whether you have a valid malpractice case and the types of damages you may recover.
