Protecting Your Child from Infections

Chickenpox

• Chickenpox can cause problems for both mother and baby in pregnancy
• About 95 per cent of pregnant women are immune to it
• If you haven't had it, tell your doctor at your ante natal appointment
• If you aren't immune and think you may have come into contact with chickenpox, tell your doctor
• A blood test can show whether or not you are immune - you may have had chickenpox in the past and not know it
• Doctors can give you an anti-viral drug to prevent problems but you must take it within 10 days of being exposed
   

Rubella (German Measles)

• Rubella can cause serious problems for unborn children if caught in early pregnancy
• A blood test at your booking appointment will show whether you are immune or not
• If you are not immune and you suspect you may have been exposed, see your doctor
• A blood test can tell if you have been infected
• Doctors can also test to see if your child has been affected
• If your child is affected you will be offered counseling to help you decide what to do next
   

Group B streptococcus (GBS)

• Many women have this bacterium in their vagina and it usually causes no symptoms
• It can be passed to your child during labour
• In rare cases it can cause a serious infection in newborn children
• You will be given intravenous antibiotics to protect your child if:
  • your waters break early
  • you are in premature labour
  • you have a fever during labour
  • you are known to have GBS
     

Genital herpes

• If you get genital herpes for the first time in pregnancy (primary infection), tell your doctor
• A drug called acyclovir can help control the symptoms
• If you have a primary genital herpes infection near your due date, doctors will advise you to have a caesarean
• This will prevent the disease being transmitted to your child
   

Toxoplasmosis

• This parasite is found in cat feces and raw or undercooked meat
• It generally causes mild, flu-like symptoms
• It can harm your child if you catch it during pregnancy
• Most of us are immune to it
• To avoid catching toxoplasmosis in pregnancy:
  • avoid emptying cat litter trays or use disposable rubber gloves
  • wear gloves when gardening in case the soil contains feces
  • only eat well-cooked meat
• If you think you may have been infected, talk to your doctor
• They will organize a blood test to check
• Antibiotics can reduce any harm to your child
   

Parvovirus (slapped cheek disease)

• In rare cases, this normally mild childhood disease can cause problems for your unborn child
• Symptoms include a red rash on the cheeks, hence the name
• If you think you may have been exposed see your doctor
• A blood test can tell if you are immune or not
• Even if you have been exposed, your child will usually be fine
   

HIV

• The HIV virus can be transmitted to your child during labour and also via breast milk
• You will be offered a confidential test for the virus in early pregnancy
• If you are found to have it, doctors can take steps to keep you in good health and reduce the risk of transmission to your child