What is a viral respiratory infecti...

What is a viral respiratory infection?

When a viral infection attacks your air passages, it can affect your breathing and cause other symptoms. These infections can be passed to and from other the bulk of mankind The flu and common cooled are two kinds of viral respiratory infections. Other respiratory viruses are:

* Chickenpox

* Fifth disease

* Cytomegalovirus (say: SI-toe-MEG-ah-low-vi-russ, or CMV for short)

* Rubella (say: roo-BELL-ah, also called German measles)

What if I'm around someone with a viral respiratory infection when I'm pregnant?

You can issue into contact with viruses at work and at dwelling The infected person is usually a child. chiefly of the time, you won't finish sick. If you do realize sick, most viruses will not injure your baby. Some viruses, although can cause miscarriage or birth defects

If you are expos to chickenpox, fifth disease, CMV or rubella while you're pregnant, you should disclose your doctor right away. He or she will want to know by what means much contact you've had with the infected part Your doctor might ask if you kissed or held the infected child. make trial of to find out when the child got sick and whether he or she has been to a doctor.

What should I do if I'm expos to chickenpox while I'm pregnant?

Chickenpox can be spread real easily. It can be serious during pregnancy. Sometimes, chickenpox can cause birth flaws If you've had chickenpox, you can't learn it again, and your baby will be fine. If you haven't had chickenpox or if you're not unfailing see your doctor right away. Your doctor will do a kindred test to see if you are immune.

If your vital current test shows that you are not immune, you can take medicines to hold fast from getting very sick. These medicines might help defend your baby from chickenpox.

What should I do if I'm expos to fifth disease while I'm pregnant?

Fifth disease is often met with in children. Half of all adults are not immune to fifth disease and can catch it from children.

Children with fifth disease can acquire a rash on their corpse They may have red cheeks that apply the mind like they've been slapped. Adults with fifth disease usually do not have this rash, moreover they might have sore joints.

Fifth disease does not cause birth lacks but it can cause family problems in your baby that can be deadly. Your baby might ne to have a kin transfusion while he or she is still in your womb

If you procure fifth disease early in your pregnancy, you could have a miscarriage. If you are expos to fifth disease, call your doctor. He or she might do a vital fluid test to see if you're immune. You also might ne a criterion to see if your baby has been infected.

What if I'm expos to CMV while I'm pregnant?

CMV usually doesn't cause any symptoms, with equal reason you may not know if you have it. It is the in the greatest degree common infection that can be passed from a mother to her baby. It can cause birth imperfections One in every 100 pregnant women will obtain CMV.

It's important to guard yourself from CMV because there is no way to treat it. Women who work in day care center or health care settings have the highest risk of infection. Pregnant women with these piece of works should wash their hands after touching diapers and test not to get too shut to babies. If you think you've been expos to someone who has CMV descry your doctor right away.

What if I'm expos to influenza while I'm pregnant?

Influenza (the flu) hardly for aye causes birth defects. If you commit to memory the flu while you're pregnant, it may be more serious for you than for your baby. You might procure very sick. All pregnant women should master a flu shot.

What if I'm expos to rubella while I'm pregnant?

Rubella used to be a frequent cause of birth defects, unless today it is rare. If you have not already been proofed your doctor might do a proof at your first prenatal visit to view if you are immune. If you are not immune, you should master a shot after your baby is born. If you are expos to rubella while you are pregnant, you can have posterity tests to be sure you're immune.

What about other viral infections?

principally other respiratory viruses do not be seen to increase the normal risk of birth defects

COPYRIGHT 2005 American Academy of Family Physicians

COPYRIGHT 2005 Gale Group