Pregnancy is a stage in which care must be increased to lead a healthy life that benefits the correct development of the fetus, which is why aspects such as consuming adequate food during pregnancy, performing moderate physical activity, and attending all prenatal visits. But it is also essential to take the necessary precautions to rule out the contagion of viruses and infections that could put the pregnancy or the health of the baby at risks, such as rubella or chickenpox.
If you wonder about the effects of rubella in pregnancy, how to know if you are immune to the disease, and its consequences on the fetus if you are infected while pregnant, in this FastlyHealarticle, we explain everything in detail.
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Dangerous viral and infectious diseases in pregnancy
During pregnancy, it is essential to take care of our health as much as possible, ensure that the fruits and vegetables we eat are correctly clean, never eat raw foods such as sausages, sushi, uncooked meat, or unprepared eggs and foods that contain it, as is the case with mayonnaise, custard or tiramisu, as they could have dangerous bacteria for the body at this stage.
In addition, you should avoid handling the feces of domestic animals such as cats to prevent toxoplasmosis, wash your hands frequently and mark your distance from anyone who has an infectious disease to which you are not immune. During pregnancy, the contagion of the following conditions can represent a danger to the health of your baby and yours:
- Rubella
- Chickenpox
- Strep infections
- Toxoplasmosis
- Listeriosis
- Hepatitis B
- Sexually transmitted infections
Complications of rubella in pregnancy
Rubella is a highly contagious viral disease transmitted through infected fluids when coughing or sneezing. It usually occurs primarily in children or adolescents. This condition has mild symptoms, and sometimes the patient does not even realize they have it. However, if it affects a pregnant woman, especially during the first trimester, it can have significant consequences on the health and development of the fetus.
During pregnancy, the mother can transmit the disease to the fetus, giving rise to various complications. If you contract the condition just before you get pregnant or during the first three months of pregnancy, a miscarriage can occur. There is a 99% risk that your baby will contract congenital rubella if this does not happen. After weeks 11 and until 16, the risk of the fetus developing this condition is 50%, while between weeks 16 and 20, the chances are meager. If you contract this virus after week 20, there is no risk that your baby will suffer from this condition.
The complications of congenital rubella for the baby are:
- The slow growth of the fetus.
- Brain damage can affect your physical or intellectual ability.
- Microcephaly is a neurological disorder that results in a smaller-than-normal head and less-than-average brain growth.
- Eye problems such as cataracts, glaucoma, or inflammation of the retina.
- Brain infection
- Meningitis viral.
- Deafness.
- Problems with muscle tone
- Heart or arterial problems.
- Lung, liver, or bone marrow problems.
Some of these complications may not occur during pregnancy or birth but as the child grows and develops.
How do I know if I am immune to rubella and other infections?
If you are planning a pregnancy or have recently become pregnant, you must go to the gynecologist as soon as possible. Why is it so necessary to visit this specialist? Because, among other things, during the first weeks of pregnancy, the doctor will evaluate you and perform a blood test to see your general health and to know your immunity to dangerous diseases during pregnancy.
This immunity test allows you to determine if you have antibodies against these diseases, either because you suffered them in the past, this may be the case of rubella or chickenpox, or because you have been vaccinated against them. This way, you will be able to clear up the great unknown and determine if you are at risk of suffering from rubella in pregnancy.
How to prevent rubella in pregnancy?
If you go to your gynecological checkup before pregnancy and the immunity test shows that you are unprotected against rubella, the best way to prevent it is by getting vaccinated. You will need to wait at least a month before trying to conceive once you have had the vaccine.
If, on the other hand, you are already pregnant and you find yourself unprotected against this virus, it is best to avoid contact with any child, adolescent, or person who has or may have the disease as much as possible and go immediately to your gynecologist if you suspect that you have been infected.
This article is merely informative. At FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor if you present any condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Rubella in pregnancy, we recommend that you enter our Pregnancy and baby health category.
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.