What infections are most dangerous during pregnancy?

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) usually infects the breathing passages and lungs in small children and infants. Adults can also be affected by RSV. Unless they have an impaired immune system, adults have usually the immunity to fight off RSV. However, young children and infants have not yet built up enough immunity so the condition may worsen and lead to other illnesses.

Syphilis is an on-going problem in Mexico. Each year more than 330,000 pregnant women test positive for syphilis. Syphilis can be passed to the infant; resulting in congenital syphilis in some cases. Researchers from Central de Investigaciones in Morelos, Mexico completed a cross-sectional study to update current syphilis status in pregnant women.

Pregnant women who experience a bacterial infection while in a hospital may be at higher risk of having a child with autism, according to a new study. Infections during pregnancy are common and most infections do not increase the risk for autism. Only bacterial infections diagnosed in the hospital were associated with an increased risk for the disorder.

Listeria or Listeriosis and Pregnancy

What is listeria? Listeria is a bacterium (Listeria monocytogenes) that is common in the environment. It is carried by many farm animals and pets. You can be infected by listeria if you eat contaminated food. Some foods are riskier than others – the riskiest are those eaten raw or inadequately cooked. ... read more »

Coronavirus COVID-19 Pregnancy and Fertility

All you need to know about COVID-19 and pregnancy ... read more »

Epstein-Barr Virus and Pregnancy

The Epstein-Barr virus (EPV) is a common viral infection. It is estimated that 95% of people between the ages of 35 and 40 have come in contact with the virus at least once. ... read more »

Vaccine for Cytomegalovirus (CMV) on the Horizon

The cytomegalovirus (CMV) may not be a virus most people have heard of, but it is one of the leading causes of birth defects in the world. About one in 750 infants are born with a birth defect contributed to CMV. ... read more »

Antibacterial Products May Promote Nasal Staph Infections

Triclosan is a synthetic compound used in many personal care products labeled as antibacterial. It is considered safe to use, however, recent studies suggest otherwise. ... read more »

Bacterial Infection During Pregnancy Increases Autism Risk

Pregnant women who experience a bacterial infection while in a hospital may be at higher risk for having a child with autism, according to a new study. ... read more »

Lyme Disease and Pregnancy

If you are pregnant and get bitten by a tick, your anxiety may reach heightened proportions. What do you do if you are bitten by a tick and you're pregnant? Will it affect your unborn baby? Will you get Lyme disease? And what should you do right now? ... read more »

Pink Eye During Pregnancy

While pink eye can be alarming because it may make the eyes extremely red and can spread rapidly, it's fairly common. Here's what to do when you are pregnant and come down with the dreaded pink eye! ... read more »

Are Pregnant Women at Higher Risk of Contracting COVID-19?

There is very little information regarding pregnancy outcomes and Coronavirus so far. If you’re pregnant, you have many questions about how to stay safe and keep your baby protected. Here are the answers to the common question surrounding pregnancy and the Coronavirus: ... read more »

Thriving During Pregnancy Amid the Coronavirus Threat

The constant news stream on the current Coronavirus outbreak can be overwhelming. New information is being shared hour by hour as we all attempt to find out as much as we can to protect ourselves and others. Here are some tips to help get you through this volatile time! ... read more »

What is COVID-19 (2019-Novel Coronavirus)?

This is the most recent coronavirus which was reported on January 9, 2020 by the World Health Organization and identified by Chinese authorities. The virus is associated with an outbreak of pneumonia in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. ... read more »

How To Protect Yourself from COVID-19

Coronavirus often affects the respiratory tract leading to lung infection (pneumonia). It can be spread from person-to-person, mainly via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. ... read more »

Coronavirus: Separating Fact from Fiction

It’s difficult to keep up with the ever-changing news cycle on the Coronavirus outbreak. Everyone seems to have an opinion on what is the best course of action to take to protect yourself, your family and your community. Here are some of the top questions concerning the Coronavirus: ... read more »

Effects of Carbon Monoxide on Cytokine Production

Researchers from various hospitals in New York recently published a report in the American Journal of Reproductive Immunology claiming carbon monoxide may reduce inflammation and thus reduce the impact of the infection. ... read more »

Scarlet Fever

Scarlet fever generally starts out with a low-grade fever and swollen glands (in the neck.) The signature rash generally looks like a sunburn, at first, but soon red bumps appear. The rash may spread across the chest, back, face and trunk. ... read more »

Ringworm During Pregnancy

Ringworm infections can occur during pregnancy and may appear to look like large pimples on the skin. Skin may appear red and flaky, and be extremely itchy. ... read more »

Childhood Infection: Rotavirus

Rotavirus is a common childhood infection that nearly all children suffer from before the age of 5. ... read more »

Ear Piercing During Pregnancy

Pregnant women are often surprised to find out that ear piercing guns are not as safe as they think. ... read more »

Hepatitis B and Pregnancy

Infected pregnant women can transmit the hepatitis B virus to the fetus during pregnancy and at delivery. The later in pregnancy a mother contracts the virus, the greater the chance for infection in her baby. ... read more »

Hepatitis C and Pregnancy

Hepatitis C is a disease caused by an RNA virus. Up to 70% of patients infected by the virus are asymptomatic. ... read more »

Do I Have Morning Sickness or am I Sick?

Morning sickness is a common symptom of pregnancy, but nausea can also be a sign of illnesses, like the flu or stomach virus. There are a few key differences between the two that can help pregnant women determine whether they should seek medical attention. ... read more »

Should I Skip This Medical Appointment During COVID?

Never before living in a reality where a simple trip to see family or a ride on the subway has become a health hazard, our new normal during the Coronavirus pandemic is a jumbled mix of restrictions. We are finding new ways of doing simple tasks, albeit mixed with a lot of fear surrounding it all. ... read more »

Lyme Disease and Children

Lyme disease is caused by the black-legged tick. Ticks are more predominant in spring, summer and fall months, but children can contract the disease any time of year. ... read more »

Premature Rupture of Fetal Membranes - PROM

Premature rupture of fetal membranes (PROM) is when the fetal membranes break prior to labor. ... read more »

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Infection and Pregnancy

RSV infects the breathing passages and lungs in small children and infants. Since infants and small children have not yet built up enough immunity the condition may worsen and lead to other illnesses. ... read more »

Information About Vaccinations

How do vaccines work? ... read more »

Reye's Syndrome

Reye's Syndrome is not an infection; rather, it is an illness that affects some children after a viral infection. Clinical studies have linked Reye's Syndrome with aspirin. ... read more »

Chickenpox During Pregnancy - How Serious Is It?

Chicken pox (varicella is usually worse in adults who didn't have chicken pox as children. It's even worse in pregnant women as it puts them at high risk of developing life-threatening pneumonia. ... read more »

Cesarean Section Maternal Risks

Complications of a cesarean section include bleeding, infections, injury to organs, and future placenta accreta and placenta previa. ... read more »

Is it Safe to Touch a Cat During Pregnancy

It is safe to touch a cat during pregnancy, but always wash your hands afterward. ... read more »

Types of Childhood Infections

You've gotten through your pregnancy, dealt with given birth, and now your child has an infection. Below is a guide to the symptoms, treatment and commons questions relating to infections that may occur during childhood: ... read more »

Parvovirus B19 Infection During Pregnancy

Parvovirus B19 infection during pregnancy can affect the fetus and can lead to hydrops. ... read more »

Diarrhea Dehydration and Fluid Loss in Pregnancy

How concerned should I be about diarrhea during pregnancy? ... read more »

Measles (Rubeola) Infection During Pregnancy

Measles (also known as Rubeola) is a viral disease that usually produces fever, cough, conjunctivitis and a red, bumpy rash, and a rash ("Koplik's spots") inside the cheeks. ... read more »

Herpes Before Pregnancy

Mothers with recurrent genital herpes, herpes that they had before pregnancy, are less likely to transmit herpes to their babies during delivery. ... read more »

Pregnancy Discharge

Pregnancy discharge is a common symptom related to hormonal changes. However, the type of pregnancy discharge you have means the difference between normal secretions and potential infection. ... read more »

Childhood Infection: Croup

Croup is a condition that most often affects children between 6 months and 3 years of age. The upper airways become inflamed and your child develop hoarseness and a cough. ... read more »

Impetigo

Impetigo is an infection of the skin caused by bacteria known as strep (streptococcus) or staph (staphylococcus). MRSA, methicillin-resistant staph aureus, is also known to cause impetigo. ... read more »

Meningitis

An inflammation of the protective outer lining of the brain and spinal cord is called meningitis. The majority of cases are brought about by viruses or bacteria, although it can be associated with types of illness or medications. ... read more »

Rotavirus Infection during Pregnancy

Rotavirus is a common childhood infection that can also affect women during pregnancy. ... read more »

Mumps

Mumps is a viral infection spread from one child to another via saliva (spit). The main area affected by mumps are the parotid salivary glands. These glands are located behind the cheeks. ... read more »

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)

MRSA stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. This means the bacteria that causes MRSA is resistant to common antibiotics. ... read more »

Multi-Drug Treatment Reduces Mother-Infant HIV Risk

Recent research reveals using multiple drugs after birth greatly reduces the risk of infant HIV infection. ... read more »

Kawasaki Disease

Kawasaki Disease is a rare condition with no known cause. Some doctors and experts believe the condition is an auto-immune disorder, but there is no clinical proof the condition starts in the immune system. ... read more »

Endoglin and Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

Recent reports indicate a connection between inflammation and angiogenesis. Researchers for the U.S. Government recently published an article connecting elevated sENG (soluble Endoglin), an anti-angiogenic protein, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia. ... read more »

Impact of Chorioamnionitis on Neurodevelopmental Outcomes

Bacterial infections, typically associated with long labor and bacteria that moves from the vagina to the uterus, can cause chorioamnionitis or an inflammation of the fetal membranes. ... read more »

Syphilis: An On-Going Problem in Mexican Pregnancies

Syphilis is an on-going problem in Mexico. Each year more than 330,000 pregnant women test positive for syphilis. Syphilis can be passed to the infant; resulting in congenital syphilis in some cases. ... read more »

Early Onset Neonatal Group B Streptococcal Sepsis

Group B strep can pass from mother to child during labor. In some cases, medical personnel are aware of the maternal infection and protective steps are taken to lower the risk of neonatal infection, but such steps were not always available. ... read more »

Brucellosis and Pregnancy

Brucellosis is one of the rarest bacterial infections reported in pregnancy. Infection requires coming in contact with animals, animal meat or animal milk infected with the brucellosis bacteria. ... read more »

Gestational Syphilis and Pregnancy Outcome

Researchers in Spain have recently completed a study into the effects of gestational syphilis on pregnancy and perinatal outcomes. ... read more »

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