ABSTRACT
Primary First Episode Primary first episode infection is defined as herpes simplex virus confirmed in a person without prior HSV-1 or HSV-2 antibodies. About 2% to 4% of these seronegative women seroconvert to HSV-1 or HSV-2 during pregnancy (only 30% have symptoms-if symptoms are present, they are severeand 50% have recurrence within 6 months), with no fetal consequences unless they convert shortly before labor and deliver vaginally; viral shedding is very high with primary infection, with 50% to 80% of cases of neonatal HSV infection resulting from women who acquire genital HSV-1 or HSV-2 infection near term (4).
