February is International Prenatal Infection Awareness Month: Infections Pregnant Women Can Get and How to Prevent Them

February is the national observance for International Prenatal Infection Awareness Month. The goal of this observance, which was created in February 2007, is to help women who are pregnant prevent infection and keep their unborn baby safe and healthy.

According to the Group B Strep International website, Group B streptococcus is the leading infectious killer of newborns. There are also other types of infections that can be harmful to an unborn or newborn baby. With the International Prenatal Infection Awareness Month, information is being provided to educate pregnant woman on the common infections and how to prevent them.

Group B Streptococcus

Group B streptococcus (Group B Strep) is a bacterial infection that while harmless in adults, can be deadly for a newborn baby. Babies who have been infected with Group B Strep can get pneumonia, meningitis or a blood infection. Approximately 1 in 2,000 babies are born with Group B Strep in the U.S. and 10% - 30% of pregnant women are carriers of the infection.

Pregnant women can be tested during the end of pregnancy to see if they are infected with Group B Strep. If positive, intravenous IV antibiotics will be given during the labor and delivery.

Chickenpox

Chickenpox is a viral infection that mainly affects children. There is now a vaccine that children can get to prevent chickenpox. But if you are an adult, there is up to a 95% chance that you had chickenpox as a child and there is no way you can catch it again. But there is a 1 in 2,000 chance that a pregnant woman can get chickenpox. It can be very dangerous to the fetus if a woman gets chickenpox while pregnant after her 20^th week. Before the 20^th week there is a less than 1% chance that the baby will be born with birth defects. If the infection occurs around the delivery date, the baby can be born with the chickenpox infection that can lead to death if not treated.

There is a blood test that can be taken to determine if you are immune to chickenpox or not when you are in the early stages of pregnancy. If you are not pregnant, and are not immune to chickenpox, you can have the vaccine. If you are pregnant and have not had chickenpox, avoid being around anyone who is currently infected.

Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis affects between 400 and 4,000 newborns a year. It is a common infection that can have serious consequences for an unborn baby. Some newborns can die a few days after birth. Others can have pneumonia, jaundice, eye infections, an enlarged liver and spleen, seizures, cerebral palsy, mental retardation, and major vision loss.

Pregnant women can help prevent toxoplasmosis by not eating undercooked meats and washing hands thoroughly immediately after handling raw meat. Other steps that can be taken include peeling and washing raw fruits and vegetables before eating; washing thoroughly all cutting and cooking utensils used in cutting up and preparing raw meats; and no changing or cleaning of the cat's litter box.

Fifth Disease

Fifth disease is a common childhood illness. Over half of the adult population has been infected with fifth disease. Fifth disease causes a rash on the face of the child. Other symptoms that are less common include fever, sore throat, headache, and joint pain. If you are infected as an adult, you will have the less common symptoms but not the rash.

Most unborn babies are not harmed if the mother gets infected while pregnant, but there are circumstances where some do. A severe form of anemia can develop in these babies and heart failure also. Death may occur in approximately 2% - 9% of fetal infections and the woman will miscarry.

Pregnant women can help prevent fifth disease by making sure they wash their hands thoroughly and several times throughout the day. This is especially important if you work around children, have other children at home and are handling dirty tissues. It is also advised not to share drinking glasses with anyone who may be infected with this illness.

Other Preventions

Pregnant women should also make sure they take the following preventive measures while pregnant to ensure a healthy baby. You should always wash your hands:

After using the bathroom

After gardening or touching soil

After handling pets

After being around sick people

After changing diapers

With International Prenatal Infection Awareness Month, hopefully more pregnant women will become aware of how they can keep their unborn babies protected and safe.