What does it mean when the herpes simplex virus antibody is positive?

If a woman is found to be positive for herpes simplex virus antibodies through examination after pregnancy, it means that she has a history of infection with this virus. The probability of herpes simplex virus infection in pregnant women in my country is already very high, so she should receive systematic examinations and treatment in a timely manner.

1. Problem analysis: The clinical significance of positive antibody IgG: It indicates that the pregnant woman has had this virus infection in the past. or have been vaccinated. The clinical significance of negative antibody IgM: no active infection, but does not rule out potential infection. It is generally believed that active infection in pregnant women is related to intrauterine infection of the fetus. About 40% of active infections are likely to cause intrauterine infection of the fetus. Therefore, pregnancy examinations mainly check the IgM antibodies in the blood of pregnant women.

The infection rates of cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus, rubella virus, and human papillomavirus among women in my country are very high, with the past infection rate reaching as high as 90%. According to surveys, active infection with various pathogens among pregnant women is about 3% to 8%, but some pregnant women with low IgM antibodies may have latent infection, which may also cause intrauterine infection of the fetus. After the above analysis, you may understand that just because you see a plus sign (+) on the test report, it does not mean that it will cause intrauterine infection of the fetus.

2. Rehabilitation guidance: A positive IgG antibody only means that you have been infected with the virus in the past and may have developed immunity to it. A negative IgG antibody result indicates that the pregnant woman may not have been infected with the pathogen and lacks immunity to it. She should be vaccinated and wait until immune antibodies are produced before getting pregnant again. Women who have received some viral vaccines will test positive for IgG antibodies. For example, women who have received the rubella vaccine will test positive for rubella virus IgG antibodies. Women who have been vaccinated against hepatitis B will test positive for hepatitis B antibodies. Therefore, it is necessary to distinguish which are protective antibodies and which are non-protective antibodies.