Genital herpes

Some people with HIV also have genital herpes.

• Women living with HIV are more likely to experience a herpes outbreak during labour than women without HIV.
• Prophylaxis treatment for herpes with acyclovir is safe. It is often used to reduce this risk.

Herpes is very easily transmitted from mother to child. Even with a viral load that is undetectable on ART, herpes sores contain high levels of HIV. The herpes virus can be released from the sores during labour. This will put the baby at risk from neonatal herpes.

It is very safe to use acyclovir to prevent or treat herpes during pregnancy.

Last updated: 1 November 2023.