Everyone will be frightened if affected with an infection or become ill during pregnancy.
Simple infections like flu and cold will not cause any harm to your baby, but there are various illnesses that can be harmful for your baby.
Most of you are already immune to most harmful infections like chicken pox and German disease.
The best method to protect yourself throughout your pregnancy is to stay away from those who have infections and must be very careful about what you are eating.
The most common infections that you should watch out during your pregnancy include:
Vaginal infections:
Thrush – Most of you get a thrush infection commonly during your pregnancy. The infection is due to the yeast called as Candida albicans. This is most frequently found in the vagina. Due to thrush infection, you will feel difficulties like soreness, itching, and thick and white discharge from the vagina.
This infection is most common in second and succeeding pregnancies during the third trimester. Usually this infection can be treated with vaginal suppositories.
Group B streptococcus – This is a bacterium and it is found in 15-20 percent of pregnant women in the vagina. It will not cause any problems, but in very rare cases this will be transmitted to your baby at the time of delivery, thus leading to meningitis.
Sexually transmitted diseases:
STDs like Chlamydia and gonorrhea can be transmitted to your baby during delivery thus causing eye infections. Chlamydia is the most common infection that affects around 5% of pregnancies.
This condition can cause chest infection in your baby or lining of the womb will be infected in you after delivery. These two infections can be treated easily during your pregnancy.
Urinary tract infections:
These infections are common during your pregnancy when compared to other timings. 1 in 25 pregnant women will be affected with urinary tract infection throughout the period. You will experience the difficulties like discomfort, burning sensation while passing the urine, pain at the bladder, and frequent urination.
Antibiotic tablets are used to treat the mild infections and in severe cases, you will be observed in the hospital, need to take intravenous antibiotics and also rest.
Toxoplasmosis:
The parasite toxoplasma gondii is the main cause of toxoplasmosis. It will be detected in different varieties of raw meat, in cats which eat raw meat and also in their faeces. Toxoplasmosis during pregnancy can lead to congenital toxoplasmosis in your unborn baby.
This infection causes illness with inflammation of neck glands. It can also lead to pregnancy miscarriage, stillbirth, growth problems, brain damage, water in the brain, blindness, deafness, and epilepsy.
Chickenpox:
If you had chickenpox at the time of your childhood, then there is no need to worry. If you never had this infection before, then you need to avoid the contact with people having chickenpox. Chickenpox virus leads to severe complications in your baby.
If the virus affects your baby, then there are some potential problems like shortened limbs, scars, and eye problems.
Genital herpes:
This infection initially starts with flu like illness, painful vulval sores and some inflamed glands in the groin. If the primary attacks of genital herpes begin at 28 weeks of pregnancy, then there are greater risks. At the time of delivery, it can spread to your baby. So, if you have this infection, your doctor will generally advise cesarean section.
In order to prevent the risks of these infections to you and your baby, you need to follow some simple steps. They include:
- Wash your hands with soap and water whenever you use the bathroom, touch raw meat, handle pets, change the diaper, etc.
- Don’t share forks, cups, or any other food items with young children.
- Cook the meat until it is well done.
- Avoid drinking unpasteurized milk and the foods prepared from it.
- Stay away from cat litter.
- Get tested for STDs like HIV and hepatitis B.
- Stay away from people who have infections.
- Consult your doctor about any other vaccinations required during pregnancy.
