Scarlet fever and pregnancy

Scarlet fever in pregnancy

Scarlet fever is usually a childhood disease. Nevertheless, adults can get sick as well. Also, scarlet fever in pregnant women occurs. The hormonal changes in pregnancy weaken the immune system. That’s why a pregnant woman is more susceptible to infections.

Scarlet fever is caused by a bacterium streptococciFamily triggered. The human body can produce protective antibodies against the toxins of this bacterium. A woman who had scarlet fever sometime before her pregnancy is better protected. But she too can fall sick again, as there are different strains of the scarlet fever.

If a woman with scarlet fever is pregnant, she should seek medical attention immediately and seek treatment. The prerequisite for this is that symptoms are recognized as possible scarlet fever symptoms.

Scarlet fever & pregnancy: symptoms

The symptoms of scarlet fever do not change with pregnancy: scarlet fever causes almost all patients Almond and pharyngitis such as fever, Typically, a deep red “strawberry tongue“and a reddish one skin rashwhich spreads over the body starting from the groin. Also swollen cervical lymph nodes, Vomit and chills are possible symptoms of scarlet fever.

Pregnancy and the unborn child are not specifically endangered by the disease itself. However, possible complications and late effects can be dangerous.

Scarlet fever & pregnancy: possible risks

In general, a pregnancy without any disease is optimal. However, most pregnant women will get sick in these nine months. There are diseases that have no direct influence on the unborn child. This includes scarlet fever. The pregnancy and the unborn child should then be monitored more medically. Because if the infection is detected and treated too late, it can lead to complications and long-term consequences:

That’s how you sometimes develop Heart and kidney inflammations as a result of scarlet fever. Pregnant women then present a greater risk to the unborn child. Heart and kidneys of the mother are namely important for the sufficient supply of the child with oxygen and nutrients. Therefore, functional impairment of these organs by scarlet fever can endanger pregnancy and growth of the child.

The disease itself, however, does not lead to an increased risk of miscarriage or stillbirth or to child malformations during pregnancy.

Scarlet fever & pregnancy: treatment

As a bacterial infectious disease, scarlet fever is good with a antibiotic to treat. Especially penicillin is used in the treatment of scarlet fever. Pregnancy and lactation are phases in which medication should generally be administered only in case of urgent need. But penicillin is one of those antibiotics that pregnant women and nursing mothers are allowed to receive.

Within a few days of initiating therapy, scarlet fever symptoms generally resolve. Nevertheless, the drug should be given the full ten days as prescribed by the doctor. Only then does the risk of complications and long-term consequences of scarlet fever decrease. Pregnancy and breastfeeding usually go smoothly.

For example, general tips on scarlet fever are bed rest, drink a lot (against the fever), warm neck wrap (against the sore throat) and soft or liquid food (with difficulty swallowing).

Scarlet fever & pregnancy: prevention

The infectious disease scarlet fever is very contagious, and so far there is no vaccine against it. Especially in kindergartens and schools, but also in other community facilities, many people often get sick at the same time Scarlet fever. pregnancy and breastfeeding are best protected when women avoid affected facilities. This also applies to close contact with (potentially) sufferers.