Dengue during Pregnancy: Everything You Need to Know about the Symptoms and Treatment
Getting infected by the dengue virus during pregnancy, especially when you are in the second or third trimester, can increase the risk of premature birth and even still birth. Early recognition and prompt treatment can substantially lower the risk of medical complications and death. Here’s what you need to know.
The monsoon covered the whole country in record time this year, but the spread of vector-borne diseases such as dengue has been faster. You need to take special care if you are pregnant as there can be a high risk of transmitting the virus to the baby during pregnancy or childbirth. The Aedes aegypti mosquito is the main vector that transmits viruses causing dengue. This may result in low birth weight, premature birth, and even stillbirth. Here's what you need to do if you contract dengue during pregnancy.
Dengue Fever Symptoms during Pregnancy
The signs and symptoms of dengue fever in pregnancy is similar to that in the non-pregnant patient. The symptoms of dengue fever usually appear four to seven days after being bitten by an infected mosquito and usually last for two to seven days. WHO recommends that dengue must be suspected when high fever is accompanied by at least two of the symptoms. Symptoms commonly include a high fever, severe headache, severe pain behind the eyes, joint pain, muscle and bone pain, rash, and mild bleeding. Some also develop a more severe condition known as the dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) which can prove to be fatal if not treated promptly. Persistent vomiting, severe abdominal pain, and difficulty breathing are some of the symptoms of DHF.
Dengue Treatment
If you think you have the symptoms, call your doctor immediately. An early diagnosis and prompt treatment can substantially lower the risk of complications. Management of dengue in pregnancy is similar to dengue management in others. If you are expecting and diagnosed with dengue, your doctor will treat you based on your symptoms and severity of illness. Did you know that some people are more prone to this vector-borne disease than others?
You can take paracetamol to deal with fever but avoid pain relievers like aspirin and Ibuprofen. Get plenty of rest and drink plenty of fluids like oral rehydration solution, fresh juice, soups, coconut water. This will help to prevent dehydration due to vomiting and high fever. Go to the hospital immediately if you feel worse in the first 24 hours after the fever declines. Vomiting and severe abdominal pain can be signs of something serious.
Preventive Measures
If you are pregnant, you are at significant risk of contracting the disease. So avoid travelling to areas where dengue fever is prevalent as. If you must travel take personal prophylactic measures to prevent mosquito bites and dengue infection. Close the windows during active mosquito times like dawn and dusk to prevent mosquitoes from entering your house or place of stay. Also, prefer to stay in air-conditioned or well-screened places. To prevent getting bitten by mosquitoes, Apply 10 to 30 percent concentration of DEET insect repellent on your exposed skin. Don't apply DEET on the hands of your young child or on infants younger than two months.
Remember that there is no vaccine to prevent dengue, so your safety is in your own hands.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 26, 2019 02:09 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).