My 27-year-old wife is 4 months pregnant and has painful herpes sores on her neck and head. She was advised to take Acivir 800. Is this dangerous for her or the baby, and can it come again?
Painful herpes sores on the neck or head during pregnancy are usually caused by reactivation of the herpes virus, which can occur when immunity temporarily weakens due to stress, illness, or hormonal changes. Acivir 800 contains acyclovir, an antiviral medicine commonly used to reduce pain, viral activity, and healing time in herpes infections. It is often prescribed during pregnancy when the benefits outweigh the risks, especially if the infection is painful or spreading. Herpes affecting the neck or head is generally less risky to the baby than active genital herpes near the time of delivery. Many pregnant women recover well with proper treatment and monitoring. However, the virus can sometimes reactivate again in the future because it remains dormant in the nerves after the first infection. Adequate rest, nutrition, hydration, and stress control may help reduce recurrence frequency in some people. High fever, eye involvement, severe headache, spreading rash, or worsening pain during pregnancy should be evaluated promptly because stronger medical monitoring may sometimes be needed.