Infections during pregnancy: symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, consequences

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

There are many infections during pregnancy, and all of them are especially dangerous for the fetus. In the event of infection, the degree of exposure to the child depends on many different factors, in particular the immunity of the mother and the gestational age. There are a number of pathogens that can only affect a child badly if certain concomitant factors are present.

Many different infections during pregnancy can adversely affect the he alth of the baby or lead to termination of pregnancy. That is why it is necessary to carefully carry out the diagnosis and subsequent treatment.

What infections can be

There are a variety of infections during pregnancy, which in one way or another affect the condition of the woman and the fetus. That is why it is important to diagnose them in a timely manner and carry out complex treatment in order to avoid complications. Infections can be triggered by:

• fungi;
• bacteria;
• protozoa.

ToRCH infections are most common during pregnancy, towhich include toxoplasmosis, rubella, cytomegalovirus and herpes. These are indeed very dangerous infections, but you can prevent their occurrence by passing all the required tests before conception and having all the required vaccinations.

In addition, during pregnancy, infection with intestinal, genital infections, and possibly infection of the urinary tract can occur. All of these conditions are very dangerous and can lead to serious complications.

Sexual infections

For a child growing in the womb, many infectious diseases are dangerous. However, genital infections are especially dangerous, since there is a risk of not bearing a baby at all. Therefore, it is recommended to take all the required tests before conception. It is optimal to do this a few months before planning a pregnancy.

If syphilis can be very successfully treated in the initial stages of pregnancy, and AIDS can give birth to a completely he althy baby, then there are other infectious diseases that can negatively affect the fetus. With the course of chlamydia, you can also give birth to a completely he althy baby. However, it must be treated as soon as it is discovered, as this infection can lead to:

• preterm birth;
• polyhydramnios;
• placental insufficiency;
• fetal infection;
• premature discharge of water.

Gonorrhea is also a dangerous infection during pregnancy. If a woman has become infected with it before conception, then it developsendometritis, which leads to spontaneous abortion. If the infection occurred 4 months after the onset of pregnancy, then the pathogens become harmless to the child, but complications may occur in the woman.

Another dangerous infection of the genital tract during pregnancy is ureaplasmosis, which is often completely asymptomatic, but can provoke:

• miscarriage;
• postpartum illnesses;
• intrauterine infection of the fetus;
• preterm birth.

Some women worry that treatment during pregnancy may harm the baby, but this is completely wrong. Sexual infections must be treated as soon as they are discovered.

Particularly dangerous infections

The impact of infection on pregnancy is very dangerous, as such diseases can cause the death of the pregnant woman and the fetus. Therefore, it is important to take into account what the disease is and the features of their course, so that they can be recognized in a timely manner and adequate treatment can be carried out. Among the dangerous infections in the first trimester of pregnancy, it is necessary to highlight such as:

• thrush;
• chickenpox;
• syphilis;
• hepatitis;
• HIV;
• ARVI.

Thrush is a fairly common disease in women. Among the main symptoms of its course, one can distinguish abundant curdled discharge, as well as itching and burning of the genital organs. The disease is caused by a fungus. With a timely visit to the doctor, it is possible to conduct a qualitativecomplex treatment.

HIV is a serious disease that is very life-threatening. If a pregnant woman knows about her disease, then with proper treatment, the risk of infection of the fetus can be eliminated. During the period of bearing a child, the woman's immunity is weakened, so the disease is accompanied by symptoms such as:

• constantly elevated temperature;
• sore throat;
• enlarged lymph nodes.

During pregnancy, a woman should be tested for infection in the body. The study is carried out every trimester.

Chickenpox is a viral disease that often occurs in childhood. The virus can cross the placenta and cause fetal death in the womb. Symptoms are quite characteristic, as the disease manifests itself with fever, itching of the skin and a rash. Chickenpox can lead to the development of pneumonia, so when the first symptoms appear, you should consult a doctor.

Syphilis in the active stage can provoke the destruction of bones and teeth in a child, as well as brain damage. The infection is almost impossible to cure completely during pregnancy. Among the main symptoms can be identified:

• skin rashes in the genital area;
• hoarseness, baldness;
• enlarged lymph nodes;
• headache.

Hepatitis is very dangerous in the first trimester of pregnancy. This disease can provoke a miscarriage or pathological destruction of the liver. Among the main symptoms are:

• yellowing of the skin and eyes;
• vomiting and high fever;
• aching pain in the right side.

Treatment should only be carried out by a qualified doctor. In some particularly dangerous cases, hospitalization and bed rest are required.

What can be intrauterine infections

The type of intrauterine infection during pregnancy largely depends on the pathogen that affects the female body during childbearing or even before conception. The risk of negative impact of pathogens increases significantly if there are chronic diseases, the woman is stressed, there are bad habits, inflammation of the genitourinary system. For a child, the risk of intrauterine infection increases significantly if a pregnant woman meets her for the first time during pregnancy. This group includes:

• toxoplasmosis;
• chlamydia;
• rubella;
• cytomegalovirus;
• herpes.

Rubella is very dangerous for pregnant women, as the fetus cannot avoid contact with the infection. The consequences of the course of the disease can be very dangerous for the child, namely:

• decrease in brain size;
• heart defects;
• congenital diseases of the eyes and hearing organs.

In some cases inflammation of the brain can be a complication. If rubella appeared in the early stages of pregnancy, then a miscarriage often occurs. If the virus is determined before 12 weeks, this is considered an absolute indication for interruption. If the infection occurred at a later date, thenthe likelihood of developing defects is significantly reduced.

Latent infections, which include cytomegalovirus, are considered very dangerous, since it is almost asymptomatic. It spreads sexually, from mother to fetus, and it can also be transmitted by kissing. In people with normal immunity, the infection proceeds without any symptoms. However, flu or SARS-like symptoms may appear a few days after infection.

In immunocompromised people, cytomegalovirus can cause very serious and dangerous diseases. The most difficult is the primary infection during childbearing, as this can lead to abortion, as well as malformation of the fetus.

If a woman is in contact with cats, then there is a risk of contracting toxoplasmosis. In addition, there is a high risk of infection in those who consume meat that has not been cooked well enough. The disease proceeds very hard only in case of a decrease in immunity. In all other cases, this is a latent infection, which is a great danger, since it often provokes developmental disorders in the child and his death. Treatment can be carried out no earlier than the second trimester of pregnancy.

Herpes is one of the most dangerous infections during pregnancy. If the virus first entered the body of a woman during the period of bearing a child, then the death of the fetus or the development of many defects occurs. If an infection was detected at least a month before delivery, then a caesarean section is performed, which will prevent infection of the fetus.

It is imperative to take tests for infections during pregnancy in order to timely recognize the presence of infection and conduct competent, adequate treatment.

What are the symptoms

Symptoms of infection during pregnancy can be very different, it all depends on the type of virus and the characteristics of the course of the disease. Among the main signs, one can distinguish such as:

• temperature increase;
• fever;
• appearance of a rash;
• enlarged lymph nodes;
• headache.

There may also be other symptoms of the course of the disease, but often they occur only if immunity is reduced.

Diagnostics

The presence of infection in a woman's body can be determined by laboratory tests. In addition, inflammation of the genitourinary system can be determined even during a gynecological examination during registration.

Vaginal and cervix inflammation is often observed. It is important to take all the required tests prescribed by the doctor during pregnancy to determine the infection.

Intestinal infections

Intestinal infections can be very dangerous for a child, and it is worth noting that they appear almost immediately after infection. They may result in:

• food poisoning;
• disorders of the stomach and pancreas;
• worm infection;
• rotavirus infections.

There are a lot of pathogens, and all of thembad effect on the pregnant woman and the fetus. Manifested in the form of intestinal and infectious-toxic syndrome. They are expressed as:

• temperature increase;
• flatulence;
• diarrhea;
• gastritis;
• colitis.

A pregnant woman feels weakness, dizziness, discomfort in the intestinal area. If such symptoms occur, appropriate measures should be taken immediately, as intoxication may occur. This is very dangerous by thickening the blood and reducing its volume. Because of this, oxytocin levels can rise, leading to uterine contractions. This threatens premature birth or miscarriage. In severe intestinal infections, there may be harm to the fetus.

Be sure to consult a doctor in a timely manner and remove toxins from the body. Therapy largely depends on the type of pathogen, the severity of the disease.

Urinary tract infections

Due to the peculiarities of the anatomical structure of the genital tract, women are much more likely to get urinary tract infections, since microbes can very easily enter the bladder. During pregnancy, this risk becomes even higher, in particular when progesterone rises, which prevents complete bowel movement.

Be sure to see a doctor if you experience symptoms such as:

• pain in the lower abdomen;
• burning sensation when urinating;
• frequent urge to urinate.

Only during a laboratory test can bacteria be detected, amongof which Escherichia coli is the most common. Treatment involves taking antibiotics. Among the complications, one can single out the occurrence of pyelonephritis.

How infection occurs

A woman can get infections from a sexual partner, through household contact with a sick person, consuming raw water or food that has not been sufficiently heat treated. Some types of viruses may surround a woman, but she will not get sick due to the presence of antibodies.

Infection of the fetus occurs through the mother's blood or when the child passes through the birth canal. The way the infection enters the fetus largely depends on the type of pathogen. Viruses can enter through the fallopian tubes, amniotic fluid or blood.

Providing treatment

Treatment of infections during pregnancy should only be carried out by a qualified doctor after a comprehensive study. Not all diseases can be cured. Antibiotic treatment is prescribed only in especially dangerous cases, it all depends on the type of infection and the condition of the woman and fetus.

A pregnant woman may be prescribed immunoglobulins to boost immunity. Vaccination may also be prescribed already during childbearing. Therapy is selected strictly individually, depending on the period of pregnancy and the type of pathogen.

Possible Complications

The consequences of infection during pregnancy can be very different. They may appear before the baby is born or immediately after. Among the main complications are:

• delaydevelopment;
• liver dysfunction;
• jaundice;
• respiratory dysfunction;
• heart disease;
• lack of appetite;
• disruption of the nervous system.

If signs of infection are observed even before birth, then the child is born already with a serious disease. If the infection of the fetus was before childbirth, then this can manifest itself in the form of meningitis, pneumonia, enterocolitis. All these signs may appear only a few days after birth or immediately, provided that the child passes through the infected birth canal.

Peculiarities of prevention

Infections are very dangerous for the pregnant woman and the fetus. To prevent the occurrence of infection, be sure to:

• observe hygiene rules;
• to conduct a survey in a timely manner;
• vaccinate;
• use a condom and avoid casual relationships.

The best prevention is pregnancy planning, as in this case a woman must undergo a comprehensive examination and treat existing infections.

Infections that occur during pregnancy can cause great harm to the woman and the fetus, which is why it is important to conduct a timely examination to determine the problem.