Herpes is a medical mystery.
The doctors, they don't know how to cure
the virus that causes it.
And now many are stumped over the
increasing number of pregnant women with
the disease.
Doctors estimate 15 percent of the babies
born to these women are likely to
contract herpes.
That may sound like a small risk, but
it's greater than that for the general
population.
For half to two thirds of the babies who
catch it from their mothers, herpes is
more than just an incurable disease.
It can kill them at the infection, which
is the brain, liver or other vital
organs. Those who survive are often
less severely retarded.
Other infants may get by with recurring
bouts of painful skin lesions.
If the Malaysians are causing them pain,
we can try to
sedate them somewhat.
Also, we
need to manage fluids and
electrolytes and that type of thing
and keep
them from getting dehydrated.
Some hospitals are experimenting with
antiviral drugs in search of a cure or
at the very least, more effective
treatment for infants with herpes.
So far, the results have not been
particularly favorable.
Delbra Walker, Channel 5 Action News.