Infections during pregnancy can affect both the mother and the fetus. The most important 10 tips to prevent them

Infections during pregnancy can affect both the mother and the fetus. Listeria, streptococcus infection, sexually transmitted diseases, toxoplasmosis or even mosquitoes can create great health problems during pregnancy. The chances of giving birth to a healthy child increase if the pregnant woman takes some precautionary measures and makes healthy choices.

Not all congenital defects can be prevented, but women may increase their chance of having a healthy child by preventing infections before and during pregnancy.

Healthychildren.org presents a list of 10 tips to prevent infections during pregnancy.

Keep your hands hygiene

Maintaining a good hygiene is very important. Frequent hand washing, especially around children, is essential.

Regular hand washing, especially before and after certain activities, is the best way to remove germs, avoid disease and prevent infections.

It is especially important for the hands to be washed forward and/or after activities such as using the toilet, before handling the food and after blowing the nose. If soap and water are not available, disinfectant alcohol -based gels can be used.

Avoid insufficiently cooked and processed meat

The full cooking of the meat is also very important. Meat juices should be clear, not blood. The minced meat should be cooked at a minimum of 71 ° C, the chicken at least 74 ° C, and other meats, such as beef and pork, should be cooked at a minimum 63 ° C and allowed to rest for a few minutes after cooking.

The consumption of hotdog, canned meat or sausages is not recommended unless they are reheated to steam. Insufficient cooked meat and processed meat may contain dangerous bacteria such as Listeria monocytogenes.

Avoid raw milk and food produced from unpasteurized milk

It is recommended to avoid the consumption of raw, unpasteurized milk and foods from unpasteurized milk.

It is not recommended to consume soft cheeses such as Feta, Brie and Queso Fresco, unless they are labeled as pasteurized milk products. Unpasteurized milk products may contain dangerous bacteria.

Talk to your doctor

Discussions with the obstetrician doctor about group B streptococcus are recommended during this period.

One in four women is bearer of this bacteria, without being sick. A simple vaginal test towards the end of the pregnancy will show if the mother is carrier of this type of bacterium, and if yes, the pregnant has to talk to the doctor about how she can protect her fetus.

Recommended vaccines before pregnancy or during her

During pregnancy and just before it is good to talk to your doctor about vaccines. There are recommended vaccines before pregnancy, during pregnancy or immediately after birth.

Proper vaccination at the right time helps maintain health. For example, influenza vaccine is especially important during pregnancy.

Vaccinations can help the fetus, preventing serious illnesses or health problems throughout life.

Testing for sexually transmitted infections (BTS)

Testing for sexually transmitted infections (BTS) also plays an important role during pregnancy. Some people who have BTS do not feel sick and have no symptoms. It is important for women to know if they have BTS during pregnancy because they can have serious effects on the mother and fetus.

If a pregnant woman is positively tested for BTS, she should talk to the doctor about her protection and her child. Some BTS can also be treated during pregnancy.

Avoid people suffering from diseases caused by infections

Another recommendation is to avoid people suffering from infections. It is very important, especially in the case of infections such as varicella or rubella. Varicella can cause pregnancy complications and congenital defects; Rubeola can produce serious congenital malformations and increase the risk of pregnant to lose pregnancy for fetal death.

Pregnant women should avoid any person suffering from these infections, if they have not already had these diseases in childhood or before pregnancy or if they have not been vaccinated against them.

Protect yourself against mosquitoes and other insects

During pregnancy, it is necessary to protect against insects that can transmit different diseases. Infected mosquitoes can transmit Zika, a virus that associated with congenital defects.

Tick ​​bites can spread diseases such as Lyme disease, which causes pregnancy complications if not treated.

During the periods when mosquitoes and ticks are active, wearing long -sleeved blouses and long trousers outside the house is recommended. It is also recommended to use insect accredited repellents, which contain one of the following active ingredients: Deet, Picaridin, IR3535 or eucalyptus wood (Para-Wmenthane-3,8-Diol).

It is also preferable to avoid travel in areas where infections can be dangerous to pregnant and child.

Precautionary measures when changing cat litter

Ideally, a pregnant woman does not change the cat litter and avoid potentially contaminated sand contact.

If, however, a pregnant woman has to change the cat litter, it is mandatory for her to wear gloves and wash her hands later. The dirty litter of the cat and sand may contain a dangerous parasite that produces the infection called toxoplasmosis.

Rodents, lizards and turtles to be avoided as pets during this period

Certain types of pets – rodents, lizards, turtles – and especially their secretions are to be avoided during pregnancy.

If there is a rodent as a pet, such as hamster or guinea pigs, someone else must take care of it until after birth. Some rodents can wear a dangerous virus called the Coriomeningitis Virus (LCMV).

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