Infections And Pregnancy
If you are pregnant, an infection can be more than just a problem for you. Some infections can be dangerous to your baby. You can help yourself avoid infections
- Don't eat raw or undercooked meat.
- Don’t share food or drinks with other people.
- Wash your hands frequently.
- Don’t empty cat litter. Cats can transmit toxoplasmosis.
Why is vaccination necessary?
Vaccines strengthen people’s immune systems so that their bodies can fight off serious infectious diseases. Vaccines also benefit society by preventing the spread of communicable diseases.
Why do pregnant women need to be vaccinated?
Many women may not realize that they are not up-to-date on their immunizations and are susceptible to diseases that can harm them or their unborn child. Pregnant women should talk to their physicians to figure out which vaccines they may need and whether they should get them during pregnancy or wait until after their child is born.
Can a vaccine harm my unborn child?
A number of vaccines, especially live-virus vaccines, should not be give to pregnant women because they may be harmful to the baby. (A live-virus vaccine is made using the live strains of a virus.) Some vaccines can be given to the mother in the second or third trimester of pregnancy, while others should only be administered either at least three months before or immediately after the baby is born.
What happens if I am exposed to a disease while I am pregnant?
Depending on the circumstances, your doctor will weigh the risks of vaccination against the benefits the vaccine can provide.
What side effects can I expect after a vaccination?
Side effects vary from none to those that can occur up to three weeks after vaccination. If you experience any severe side effects, be sure to tell your physician.
- Hepatitis A—Soreness and redness at injection site, headache, fatigue, severe allergic reaction in very rare cases
- Hepatitis B—Soreness at injection site, fever
- Influenza—Redness and swelling at injection site that can last up to two days, fever
- Tetanus/Diphtheria—Low-grade fever, soreness and swelling at injection site
- Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)—Non-contagious rash, swelling of neck glands and cheeks, pain and stiffness of joints one to two weeks after vaccination
- Varicella—Fever, soreness or redness at injection site, rash or small bumps up to three weeks after vaccination
- Pneumococcal—Fever, soreness at injection site
- Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV)—None
- Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV)—Redness, discomfort at injection site.
Credit: National Institute of Health.