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Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Herpes whitlow acyclovir

10 replies

ScaredyCat40 · 17/04/2021 17:41

Hi,
I wonder if anyone has any advice please. I’m 24 weeks pregnant. I got a weird sore on my index finger 3 weeks ago which looked like 2 or 3 little pimples and it was red and sore to touch then kind of changed and went a bit corn like and slowly started to go away but has scarred. I told my GP as had lump under armpit on same side and he said he’s not sure but could have been herpes virus on finger. Now I don’t think I’ve ever had cold sores or herpes before so the worry is incase it’s an initial outbreak. So he’s prescribed Acyclovir 5 times a day for 5 days. I’m very nervous taking medication in pregnancy especially when we don’t even know if what I have / had was the herpes virus. However I’m scared not to take incase it was herpes and a first outbreak and baby is affected. However everything I’ve read says you have to start taking anti virals straight away in first few days for it to work so I feel like 3 weeks later is too late. Doc said to take just incase.
Also due whopping cough vaccine and potentially the covid vaccine so a little worried about taking so much in such a short time frame and the affect on the baby.
Any knowledge and advice much appreciated.
Docs are closed as it’s the weekend so I can’t get a second opinion. Midwife says she can’t advise.
Thank you

OP posts:
ancientgran · 17/04/2021 17:45

There is a specialist nurse who runs a herpes help forum. She is very good, very knowledgeable. It is Westover Heights.

I get very bad cold sores (herpes) well they were very bad. I take acyclovir if I think I'm starting an outbreak, it is brilliant, and I know it is prescribed for pregnant women. Not sure if it is much use after an outbreak.

Hope all goes well.

Original poster
ScaredyCat40 · 17/04/2021 18:43

Thank you very much. I’ll look that up. Perhaps I should just take it for 5 days to be on the safe side but it feels too late but just incase it’s spread anywhere else and I don’t know about it yet.

OP posts:
riromay · 17/04/2021 19:57

I got herpes in my eye.. yes EYE when in was around 20 weeks pregnant. I have no idea how and if it really was herpes (they suspected but couldn't confirm). I also didn't have the virus before. The midwife kept reassuring me that as long as it's not vaginal it wouldn't affect the baby.
I was put on aciclovir and was told I will probably have to take it for all my life. I was definitely on it for the rest of the pregnancy and for a few months after, then on and off for a bit. There was no side effects for the baby, she was/is a perfect toddler.

Diorissimo1985 · 17/04/2021 20:00

I’ve had a genital outbreak in pregnancy and was prescribed Aciclovir - it’s safe and GP, midwife and OB consultant were all happy for me to take it.

Original poster
ScaredyCat40 · 17/04/2021 20:52

@riromay thank you so much for your message. It’s is very reassuring to hear. Hope your eye never flares up again.
I do wonder why they have prescribed acyclovir to me when it’s cleared up now but I suppose they are just being cautious incase it’s a first infection.

@Diorissimo1985 thank you it’s good to hear all your health care professionals agreed it was safe to take and that you were okay on it :)

OP posts:
Fleetw00d · 17/04/2021 21:44

I have genital herpes and was taking acyclovir from 36 weeks up until she was born (via emergency c section in the end for other reasons) at 41 and 4 and the medication didn't effect her at all. It's totally safe to take in pregnancy and is routinely taken by pregnant women daily from 36 weeks so I wouldn't worry 🙂 even if it wasn't herpes that you had it still is worth taken as the benefits outweigh the risk!

saywhatwhatnow · 17/04/2021 21:47

Yeah I too took it from 36 weeks in both my pregnancies. It's completely safe and I/we had no side effects.

Attheendofthedaywhenallsaid · 17/04/2021 21:52

I would get a second opinion before taking, I don’t really see why it’s necessary to take them. Your not in discomfort?

Original poster
ScaredyCat40 · 19/04/2021 23:16

@Fleetw00d @saywhatwhatnow thank you for your replies. Reassuring to hear all was well with you.
I started taking the medication as felt if I didn’t and there was an adverse effect on the the baby of a potential first herpes infection then it’d be my fault so am taking them to be on the safe side even though my sore finger is complete better. I hope I’m doing the right thing x

OP posts:
Fleetw00d · 20/04/2021 10:21

Definitely doing the right thing @ScaredyCat40 Smile I did a lot of research on the effects acyclovir can have on unborn babies amd spoke to various doctors and consultants and found absolutely nothing, your baby will be totally fine ❤good luck with everything!

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