6 Infections You Shouldn’t Neglect During Pregnancy

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6 Infections You Shouldnt Neglect During Pregnancy

Influenza, cytomegalovirus infection or cystitis can have serious consequences on the health of pregnant women and unborn babies. We take stock.

Bacterial or viral infections are not necessarily serious: some may go completely unnoticed while others only cause mild symptoms that are not very bothersome on a daily basis.

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But during pregnancy, it’s different: indeed, the pregnant woman’s immune system is slightly less efficient than average, which favors the development of infectious diseases.

Pregnancy: redouble vigilance on hygiene measures

While some remain completely benign (nasopharyngitis, for example), others can have serious consequences on the health of the mother and the unborn child – with a risk of miscarriage, fetal malformations, premature delivery. , neonatal infection or even death in utero in the most serious cases.

How to prevent infections during pregnancy? During pregnancy, you must be extra vigilant with respect to “basic” hygiene measures: wash your hands frequently, avoid approaching sick people, do not eat certain “at risk” foods, get vaccinated when possible… And consult your doctor / midwife / gynecologist in the event of persistent symptoms that may suggest a viral or bacterial infection: a cough that does not “go away”, fever , abdominal pain, or a burning sensation when peeing, for example.

Sources:

  • Health Insurance
  • The big book of my pregnancy – National College of Gynecologists and Obstetricians (CNGOF), ed. Eyrolles.

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Strep B infection
About 3% to 5% of pregnant women carry a bacterium (Streptococcus B) in the vagina without having any symptoms. Why is it serious? If the baby contracts the bacteria during delivery (the risk of transmission is 40% to 50%) Streptococcus B can be responsible for a potentially fatal neonatal infection (with sepsis and/or meningitis). How to prevent it? The search for streptococcus B is systematic at the end of pregnancy (between the 35th and 38th week of amenorrhea, during the last prenatal consultation), by vaginal sampling. If the test is positive, the mother will receive antibiotic treatment (penicillin intravenously) during labour.

la listeriose

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Listeriosis
Contamination by the Listeria bacterium (causing listeriosis) occurs mainly through food. Why is it serious? If, for the mother, listeriosis is generally benign (with only fever and aches), the consequences of this infection for the baby can be dramatic: premature delivery, miscarriage, death in utero, serious neonatal infection (sepsis, meningitis, respiratory disorders)… How to prevent it? To prevent listeriosis during pregnancy, it is recommended that pregnant women not eat products made from raw milk, raw meat, seafood, artisanal cold meats, smoked fish, etc.

la syphilis

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Syphilis
This sexually transmitted infection (STI) can be transmitted from mother to child from the 4th month of pregnancy. Why is it serious? The Treponema pallidum bacterium can cause serious malformations in the fetus (deafness, visual disturbances, etc.); it can also be the cause of prematurity, death in utero or during the first days of life, or low birth weight. How to prevent it? Wearing a condom protects against infection with the bacterium Treponema pallidum. In addition, syphilis must be screened for at the start of pregnancy, around the 2nd month, using a blood test.

l infection cytomegalovirus

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Cytomegalovirus infection
Between 0.3% and 2.4% of pregnant women acquire cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection during pregnancy. This is transmitted mainly through the saliva, tears and urine of young children. Why is it serious? If, in most cases, CMV is not transmitted to the fetus, in 10% of cases, there is fetal infection with a significant risk of sequelae (particularly in the brain): medical termination of pregnancy may even be necessary. considered. How to prevent it? During pregnancy, CMV infection can be avoided with the help of simple hygiene measures: washing your hands often, not using the same glasses and cutlery as young children, etc. Screening (by ultrasound) can be done from 22 weeks of amenorrhea. At birth, a “control” search is carried out in the newborn.

la grippe

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Influenza
Caused by an influenzae virus of type A, B or C, seasonal flu affects 2.5 million people in France each year, especially between November and April. Why is it serious? In pregnant women, the viral infection can lead to pulmonary or cardiac complications; there may also be talk of a miscarriage or premature delivery. How to prevent it? Vaccination of all pregnant women against influenza is recommended: only one injection is necessary. It must be done from the first trimester of pregnancy in pregnant women who suffer from lung problems – severe asthma, respiratory failure, bronchial dilation…

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