A woman in the OB clinic complains of multiple, fluid-filled blisters in her genital area that make ...

ANS: A, B
The patient's symptoms are suggestive of herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection. HSV can cause serious consequences, including increased risk of pregnancy loss (60) and severe neurological consequences in the infants who do survive. There is no cure, but several medications are available for treatment. Unfortunately, the safety of these medications during pregnancy and lactation has not been firmly established. Gonorrhea can cause neonatal eye problems (ophthalmia neonatorum). Antiretroviral medications are used for HIV infections. Blood cultures for bacterial infection are not warranted, as HSV is a viral infection.