Other Infections

Influenza, sometimes known as 'the flu', is a highly contagious respiratory disease
caused by a virus. It is spread by coughing, sneezing, and touching contaminated
surfaces. Although people often refer to a common cold as 'the flu', with influenza a person feels much sicker and has fever, cough, head or body aches and pains, and general weakness. Pregnant women, especially those with asthma, who get the flu after their fourth month of pregnancy are at greater risk of developing complications (e.g. pneumonia) and needing hospital care.

• Keep your hands away from your face, and make sure you wash your hands
often.

• Get the flu shot, and encourage your children and other family members to be
vaccinated too. The vaccine is safe at all stages of pregnancy, and provides
antibodies which protect the baby after birth.

• Avoid close contact with anyone who has a cold or flu-like symptoms.


Hepatitis B is a virus which can cause serious liver infection and premature birth.
The virus is spread by contact with the body fluids of an infected person through
sexual activity, and sharing of needles and drug equipment, razors and toothbrushes. Hepatitis B can be passed on from a mother to her baby at birth.

• Have the blood test for Hepatitis B offered at your first prenatal visit; if you
are infected, your baby will be given protective antibodies and a vaccine soon
after birth.

• Continue to talk openly with your health care provider about your risks; you may
need to be retested, or benefit from Hepatitis B vaccine.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) kills the cells that help fight infection. HIV can cause AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). The virus is spread through the body fluids of an infected person. A woman with HIV can pass it on to her baby before birth, at the time of birth, or through breastfeeding. Early diagnosis and treatment greatly reduce the chance of a baby becoming
infected.

• Get a blood test for HIV when you are planning a pregnancy, and at your first
prenatal visit; you should be tested for HIV during each pregnancy.

• Abstain from sex or use condoms if you aren’t sure of your partner’s HIV status,
if you have a new partner, or more than one partner.

• Never share needles or other drug equipment.


Herpes is a virus that causes painful sores which may break out from time to time
around the genitals or rectum. It is rare for herpes infection to be passed on to a baby at the time of birth, but it can happen, and it is serious. The highest risk is when a mother gets herpes for the first time during her last three months of pregnancy. Herpes can cause a baby to develop meningitis or a blood infection. A
Caesarian birth may be recommended if the mother has herpes sores in her genital area at the time of labour.

• If you have had herpes, or have been exposed, be sure to let your health care
provider know; although there is no cure, antiviral medication can shorten and
prevent herpes outbreaks.

• If your partner has a cold sore, avoid receiving oral sex; cold sores can spread
herpes to your genital area.

 

Other Germs that Can Harm Your Baby

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a common bacteria found in the vagina,
rectum, or bladder of one in five pregnant women. Group B strep can cause women
to have urinary tract infections and newborns to develop pneumonia, blood
infections, or meningitis. If a mother tests positive or is at risk for for GBS, she will be given IV antibiotics in labour, at least four hours before giving birth.

• Talk with your doctor about having a GBS swab at 35 37 weeks.


Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) is a condition which occurs when the normal balance of
good and harmful bacteria in the vagina is disrupted, and there is an overgrowth of
certain bacteria. Usually, there are no symptoms, but a woman may notice a thin,
gray or white discharge, itching or burning, and a fishy-smelling odour.
The cause of BV is not fully understood, but as many as 16 percent of pregnant
women have it. BV can be treated with antibiotics; if untreated BV can cause a baby to be born prematurely or with a low birthweight.

• Don’t use vaginal douches; these products upset the balance of bacteria in
the vagina.

• Watch for changes in your vaginal secretions and discuss these with your
health care provider.

• If you have had a previous premature delivery, talk with your health care
provider about a lab test on a sample of your vaginal fluids.

Urinary Tract Infections are common in pregnancy because of the effects of
hormones and pressure from a growing uterus on the urinary tract. Signs of an
infection include: discomfort or burning when urinating, an urge to pee even when
there is very little urine to pass, and cloudy or blood-tinged urine. Urinary tract infections can be treated with antibiotics. Untreated infections can result
in serious kidney infections, and also trigger premature labour.

• Drink eight cups of water a day and include cranberry juice in your diet.

• Don’t ignore the urge to pee, and empty your bladder well.

• After urinating or having a bowel movement, wipe from front to back.

• Before and after sexual intercourse, clean your genital area, and urinate.

• Avoid bubble baths and strong soaps; these can irritate the genital area.

There are other germs that can affect you and your baby. If you have any questions about exposure to germs during pregnancy, contact your health care
provider, Motherisk - Hospital for Sick Children, or the Peterborough County-
City Health Unit.

You can learn more about germs and pregnancy at:

• Health Canada

• U.S. Centre for Disease Control

If you have any questions, you can call:
• Motherisk 1-416-813-6780
• HIV Healthline 1-888-246-5840
or
• Peterborough County-City Health Unit
743-1000
TTY line - 743-4700
Toll free - 1-877-743-0101
www.pcchu.ca