Image: Shutterstock
Do you know how lethal pneumonia can be during pregnancy? One of the major infectious causes of death among children around the world is the onset of pneumonia during pregnancy. This is certainly a serious concern to address.
What is pneumonia?
An infection of one or both lungs refers to pneumonia. The main causes of pneumonia are germs such as bacteria, viruses and fungi. The alveoli (of a person's lungs air sacs) are inflated with infected fluids or pus.
Symptoms:
Watch for some of these main symptoms which may mean you have pneumonia. However, these symptoms can range from mild to severe depending on the type of germ that causes the infection, age, and your overall health.
- Persistent cough with phlegm
- breathing problems
- high fever and chills
- The chest pain
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting(1)
Transmission:
Pneumonia It spreads in different ways. The viruses and bacteria that are found in airborne droplets transmitted because of coughing and sneezing, when inhaled can cause pneumonia. It is also transmitted through blood, especially during and immediately after birth. Research is still ongoing on other pathogens that may cause disease (2)
symptoms of pneumonia during pregnancy :.
The presence of maternal diseases such as anemia and increases asthma increases the risk of pneumonia in the process of development in pregnancy. These are signs of pneumonia in pregnancy.Subsequently, children who are born to these women are feared to have low birth weight and increased preterm births. Serious complications can occur to the mother even in the form of respiratory failure. The prevalence of pneumonia in pregnancy ranges from 0.78 to 2.7 cases per 1000 deliveries. But since the advent of antibiotics, the maternal mortality rate decreased 20.3%. (3)
Risk factors:
The pregnancy seems to increase the risk of serious complications associated pregnancy.Pneumonia in pregnant mothers is associated with significant fetal morbidity. Children born preterm may have, growth retardation, and premature birth. In severe cases, intrauterine and neonatal death was also observed.
Respiratory disorders worsen for physiological changes associated with pregnancy coupled with the increased demand of the fetus. Therefore, prenatal careful evaluation is important.
Most cases of pneumonia during pregnancy are caused by organisms that do not affect the fetus, except through their effects on maternal status. All pregnant women with pneumonia are obliged to test for HIV. It is because the fetus may be at risk because of maternal conditions that cause pneumonia-like infection with HIV. (4)
common forms of pneumonia during Pregnancy:
Pneumonia It is classified in many categories according to the nature of its transmission. We will discuss here the general forms significantly visible in pregnant women.
1. Bacterial Pneumonia:
pneumonia in pregnancy is most commonly caused by bacteria. Pneumonia is mainly well developed community-acquired pneumonia. But the diagnosis is often delayed because of the unnecessary fear of exposing the fetus to radiation X-ray is not advisable to carry out the scanning X-ray tests to assess the prevalence of pneumonia in pregnant women, for the exposure of the fetus fear to radiation. However, the risks arising from a single X-ray scan far outweigh the benefits of early diagnosis of the disorder. The safest form of treatment administered during this period is the use of antibiotics such as beta-lactams and macrolides
[Read: bacterial infections during pregnancy ]
2. Viral pneumonia:
A case of viral pneumonia in pregnant women can be more dangerous. Viral respiratory infections can be chickenpox, flu and acute respiratory syndrome. However, antiviral and respiratory therapies can reduce rates of morbidity and maternal mortality. It would be good to take a vaccination against influenza during pregnancy as a preventive measure, especially during flu season. (5)
Oseltamivir for influenza and acyclovir for chickenpox treatments are suggested for treatment.
3. Pneumonia by fungi:
Although a rare form of pneumonia during pregnancy, the fungus coccidioidomycosis is more likely to spread in the third quarter. Subsequently, the infected woman can have an impaired cell-mediated immunity and the stimulating effect of progesterone. The accepted treatment for fungal pneumonia is amphotericin B (6)
timely diagnosis and treatment with up-to-date antimicrobial therapy and intensive management of respiratory compromise care unit will reduce the risk associated with pneumonia in pregnancy
Prevention :.
ensure maximum safety by following these preventive measures
- Get vaccinated
- Giving attention to personal hygiene. , Especially hands
- Avoid or limit contact with the sick
- Eat well, sleep well and build a strong immunity (7)
Continue reading of similar health risks that are likely to develop in pregnancy. Then, find the measures to keep them at bay. Stay safe! Are you afraid of developing similar respiratory infections during pregnancy? Share your questions with us
Recommended articles :.
- 10 major causes of chest pain and infection during pregnancy
- Bronchitis During Pregnancy - 3 7 Causes and risk factors you should be aware of
- fever during pregnancy - 7 causes and 7 simple ways to deal with it
- 11 Signs and symptoms of lung cancer in children
- Last Posts
- Bio
Latest the Keerthy Ramachandran posts (see all)
- Top 10 healthy foods for adolescents - April 3, 2015
- Is skating safe during pregnancy -? April 1, 2015
- food poisoning in children - causes, symptoms and treatments - March 31 2015
0 Response to "Pneumonia during pregnancy - Causes, Symptoms and Prevention"
Post a Comment