If the expectant mother catches a runny nose or the flu, it will not harm the baby developing in her belly. But there are diseases that are dangerous to the baby's he alth and even life. These include infectious and zoonotic diseases such as chickenpox, rubella, cytomegaly and toxoplasmosis. Fortunately, you can defend yourself against them.
For nine months, the mother's body and the developing fetus are inextricably linked. That is why it is so important that you are in the best shape possible. Beforepregnancy , you should prepare for it, e.g. by taking the right vitamins and trace elements. It is also worth checking the body's resistance to infections that can cause, for example, birth defects and developmental disorders of a child. Someinfectious diseasesand zoonoses can be protected against infections, so you should know more about them.
Toxoplasmosis - an infectious disease caused by parasites
The disease is caused by a parasite called Toxoplasma gondi, which can be infected by eating raw or undercooked meat, unwashed vegetables and fruit, or by contact with cat faeces. Most often it is completely asymptomatic or mild and resembles a cold. 30 - 50 percent women came into contact with this germ before pregnancy - they have antibodies against toxoplasma in their blood. In such a situation, it is virtually impossible to get sick again. It is worst when a woman getstoxoplasmosisfor the first time during pregnancy. There is then a fairly high probability that the developing child will also fall ill. The most dangerous infection is in the first 3 months of pregnancy - then there is a risk that the child will be born with the so-called congenital toxoplasmosis. It occurs in about 2 out of 1000 newborns. The disease manifests itself in a significant delay in psychophysical development - it is the result of severe brain damage. Sometimes, an infection causes a miscarriage.
HOW TO AVOID IT
Every pregnant woman should avoid contact with germs, so eat only cooked or baked meat and well-washed vegetables and fruits. In addition, she must wash her hands thoroughly after working in the garden, avoid contact with cat faeces.
WHAT TESTS SHOULD BE PERFORMED
Tests for toxoplasma are not performed in every pregnant woman, but only in those with suspectsget sick. The gynecologist decides whether such determinations are necessary. A blood sample is taken for the test and the presence of specific antibodies to toxoplasmosis, the so-called IgG and IgM. Their lack means that the expectant mother has never suffered from toxoplasma. If only IgG antibodies are found, it means that the woman was exposed to the germs before pregnancy and she is immune to them. The detection of IgM antibodies may mean that the woman is sick and there is a risk of infection of the fetus. Many laboratories carry out research. Price: PLN 40-55.
It is worth checking the level of specific anti-toxoplasma antibodies before you become pregnant. This will help to determine the woman's immune status to this disease. It will also be helpful in undertaking any treatment during pregnancy.
TREATMENT
If pregnant toxoplasmosis is diagnosed, antibiotics are administered, which reduce the risk of fetal disease by about 60%.
Herpes is caused by two types of the herpes virus: HSV I and HSV II. The first causes herpes labialis, the second - genital herpes. We usually get the HSV I virus through airborne droplets, and the HSV II virus through sexual contact. The herpes labialis virus is not dangerous to the fetus. HSV II infection is definitely dangerous for a pregnant woman, especially if it occurs for the first time in the antenatal period. If suspicious vesicles are found in the genital area of a woman preparing for childbirth, the doctor will definitely decide to terminate the pregnancy by caesarean section. This will prevent infection, which can lead to serious neurological complications and even death of the child.
Rubella - viral infectious disease
Rubella is a viral disease. Children most often suffer from it. It is manifested by swollen lymph nodes and a rash. All early childhood children and girls in adolescence are commonly vaccinated against rubella. Therefore, most women are immune to the disease, and there are rare cases of contracting the disease during pregnancy.
HOW TO AVOID IT
If you have not been vaccinated against rubella or suffered from it - get vaccinated. The most dangerous is the disease of the future mother before the 17th week of pregnancy, because in the case of such an early infection of the fetus, serious birth defects may occur, e.g. deafness, cataracts, heart and vascular defects, psychomotor retardation, tooth damage. Infections beyond the 17th week are associated with a much lower risk of malformations. He can safely look after a child suffering from rubella, as long as you are sure that you are immune tothis disease.
WHAT TESTS SHOULD BE PERFORMED
It is advisable to check the level of specific antibodies before you become pregnant. These tests are not compulsory or reimbursed. They cost about PLN 50 and can be made in most laboratories. A blood sample is taken to perform the determinations. Rubella vaccine can be used before you get pregnant if you have low levels of antibodies.
TREATMENT
If a pregnant woman comes into contact with someone suffering from rubella, or if a rash occurs during pregnancy, it is necessary to test for antibodies. A gynecologist will refer you for such tests. If the amount of antibodies is too low, the woman is given ready-made antibodies by injection as soon as possible.
If you are planning to become pregnant, get vaccinated against hepatitis B (hepatitis B). Remember that a complete vaccination course is necessary. This is important because the infection of the fetus with the B virus can occur in women who had chronic hepatitis B before pregnancy or contracted hepatitis B during pregnancy. Infected children should be expected to develop hepatitis B and other complications from the liver very often.
Cytomegaly - an infectious disease caused by the herpes virus
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) belongs to the herpes virus group and is fairly widespread among people around the world. It is very easy to get infected with cytomegalovirus - through contact with the patient's saliva and urine, as a result of blood transfusion, as a result of sexual contact. Most often, CMV infection occurs in childhood (in nurseries, kindergartens) and in adolescence (school). Approx. 70 percent before pregnancy, women have been exposed to this virus and are resistant to it. Therefore, a possible renewed contract with the virus during pregnancy should not be dangerous for the woman or the child. If a woman suffers from cytomegalovirus for the first time during pregnancy, then the fetus may become infected. Approx. 90 percent Infected babies are born he althy, but some may later develop developmental problems such as mental retardation or hearing loss. Unfortunately, about 10 percent. Infected babies have very serious developmental abnormalities after birth. The effects of cytomegalovirus infection during pregnancy can be serious for a baby, but it is very rare. Only about 1 percent. women who have not had cytomegalovirus before, develop it during pregnancy.
HOW TO AVOID IT
Preventing the disease is difficult because it is very common. Moreover, it is usually asymptomatic. A pregnant woman should wash her hands often and, if possible, limit contact with the saliva and urine of the little oneschildren who suffer from cytomegalovirus most often.
WHAT TESTS SHOULD BE PERFORMED
Tests for the presence of antibodies to cytomegaly (CMV) are not normally performed. They can be made for a fee - cost about PLN 50.
TREATMENT
So far, the treatment of cytomegaly in pregnant women has not been developed, and research into a vaccine is ongoing. Infected newborns are given Ganciclovir. Sometimes the child also receives ready-made antibodies to the cytomegalovirus, the so-called immune serum. It is an adjunct treatment for severe infections, especially in children with low immunity.
Shingles is a fairly rare disease caused by the same virus that causes smallpox. After getting smallpox, the virus remains in the body in a latent form and reappears during the period of reduced immunity, causing shingles. The disease manifests itself as general weakness and an itchy and sore rash, most commonly on the trunk along the nerves. Luckily, it is not dangerous for the fetus to get shingles during pregnancy. Viral infections in pregnancy carry a risk of he alth complications in children. The best preventive measure is, for example, to have the vaccine before pregnancy, and during pregnancy to follow good hygiene and avoid contact with infected people.
Chickenpox - an infectious disease of adolescence
Chicken pox is accompanied by an itchy rash. Pregnant women suffer from smallpox extremely rarely, as over 95 percent. has had this infection long before pregnancy and has protective antibodies. It may happen that a woman who has not had chickenpox before becomes infected with it during pregnancy. This carries a risk of birth defects in the fetus.
HOW TO AVOID IT
Women who have had little or no childhood smallpox should be vaccinated. Take 2 doses 6 weeks apart. Vaccination should take place at least 3 months before conception. The vaccine costs about PLN 200.
WHAT TESTS SHOULD BE PERFORMED
To know for sure whether vaccination is necessary, you need to test the level of IgG antibodies to smallpox. Their presence indicates a history of smallpox in childhood.
TREATMENT
If a pregnant woman has had contact with a person suffering from smallpox, and a blood test (ordered by a doctor) did not show the presence of specific IgG antibodies - the woman will receive ready-made antibodies (immunoglobulins) in injection. This should protect her baby from complications. Infection up to the 20th week of pregnancy is usually not serious and does not require treatment. The expectant mother is only recommended frequent ultrasound checks. The most dangerous infection is a few days before or just after giving birth. If to himit will happen - both mother and baby receive ready-made antibodies against smallpox right after delivery.