A new study is highlighting a concerning public health trend: severe neonatal herpes infections have increased following the COVID-19 pandemic. Researchers analyzed over 632,000 births between 2008 and 2024 and identified 62 HSV infections in infants aged 0–42 days, with an incidence of 9.8 cases per 100,000 births.  The study also found that disseminated neonatal herpes — the most severe form of the disease — increased significantly after 2021.  Although neonatal herpes is rare, it can cause serious illness if not treated quickly. This is why education, awareness, and reducing stigma around HSV are so important. Read the article: https://nationaltoday.com/us/ca/oakland/news/2026/03/16/study-finds-rise-in-severe-neonatal-herpes-infections-after-pandemic/ #HerpesAwareness #HSV #NeonatalHealth