Can herpes transmit through breast milk?

Understanding Herpes Transmission Through Breast Milk
The question of whether herpes can be transmitted through breast milk is a significant concern for breastfeeding mothers who have the herpes simplex virus (HSV). The consensus among health experts is clear: herpes is not transmitted through breast milk. Instead, the risk of transmission primarily occurs through direct contact with infected skin or mucous membranes.
Key Insights on Herpes and Breastfeeding
1. Transmission Mechanism: According to health authorities, the herpes simplex virus is not present in breast milk. The primary routes of mother-to-child transmission are during delivery or through direct contact after birth, rather than through breastfeeding. In fact, neonatal herpes infections are most commonly acquired during the peripartum period (around the time of delivery) or postnatally, rather than through breastfeeding itself.
2. Precautions for Mothers: While breastfeeding is generally safe for mothers with herpes, specific precautions are necessary if a mother has active lesions on her breasts. Health guidelines recommend that mothers with herpetic lesions should avoid breastfeeding from the affected breast until the lesions have completely healed. If expressing milk from the affected breast, it is advised to discard that milk to prevent any potential risk.
3. Antiviral Medications: For mothers undergoing antiviral treatment for herpes, it is important to note that while these medications can be excreted in breast milk, they are not believed to pose a risk to the infant. This means that mothers can continue breastfeeding while on antiviral therapy, provided they do not have active sores on their breasts.
4. Expert Opinions: Research and expert opinions suggest that the likelihood of transmitting herpes through breast milk is extremely low. Some experts even describe the possibility as “doubtful,” reinforcing the idea that breastfeeding remains a safe option for mothers with herpes, as long as they take the necessary precautions.
Conclusion
In summary, while herpes simplex virus is not transmitted through breast milk, mothers with active lesions should take care to avoid breastfeeding from the affected breast until healing occurs. By following these guidelines, mothers can safely continue to provide the benefits of breastfeeding to their infants without significant risk of transmitting the virus.

What STD is passed through breast milk?

The risk for transmission from mother to child varies significantly if the maternal infection is a primary infection (eg, herpes simplex virus [HSV], HIV1), a secondary (reactivation) infection (eg, HSV, CMV) or a chronic infection (eg, hepatitis B, HIV1, HTLV-I) during pregnancy or lactation.

Can breasts spread STDs?

As we noted earlier with HIV, the potential risks of STI exposure go up very slightly if a person’s nipples have open cuts or sores. But it’s still unlikely that you will get an STI from nipple sucking, nipple play, or anything in that same vein. Nipples and breasts simply aren’t moist enough to be the home of an STI.

How long after a herpes outbreak is it still contagious?

Genital herpes is contagious from the first signs of tingling and burning (prodrome) until sores have completely healed. It is best to refrain from any type of sex (vaginal, anal, or oral) during periods of active outbreak. However, herpes can also be transmitted when symptoms are not present (asymptomatic shedding).

What are the chances of giving your baby herpes?

While neonatal herpes is a serious condition, it is also very rare. Less than 0.1% of babies born in the United States each year get neonatal herpes. By contrast, some 20-25% of pregnant women have genital herpes. This means that most women with genital herpes give birth to healthy babies.

Can a nurse catch herpes from a patient?

Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV)
Nurses are at risk for HSV unless they practice careful hand washing and wear gloves on both hands when handling respiratory tract secretions or placing their fingers in patients’ mouths.

Is it safe to breastfeed if you have herpes?

You may need to wait 12 to 24 hours after taking the medicine to breastfeed. If you have syphilis or herpes, you can breastfeed as long as your baby or pumping equipment does not touch a sore. It is possible to spread syphilis or herpes to any part of your breast, including your nipple and areola.

Does breastmilk contain herpes antibodies?

There is little data regarding the various types of anti-HSV antibodies in human milk. Although the role of human milk in protection against HSV infection in infants is unknown, we hypothesize that human milk antibody may offer some protec- tion against HSV infection.

Can you sleep with someone with herpes and not get it?

It is true that in an intimate sexual relationship with a person who has herpes (facial or genital), the risk of contracting herpes will not be zero, but while there is a possibility of contracting herpes this is a possibility for any sexually active person.

What virus is transmitted through breast milk?

The concern is about viral pathogens, known to be blood-borne pathogens, which have been identified in breast milk and include but are not limited to hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), West Nile virus, human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV), and HIV.

Can a mother pass herpes to a baby?

The herpes virus can infect the fetus and cause abnormalities. A mother who is infected with herpes may transmit the virus to her newborn during vaginal delivery, especially if she has an active infection at the time of delivery.