With all the changes that occur in a woman’s body due to pregnancy1, her immune system also begins to undergo changes. Women have lower immunity during this period, making them more prone to catching some type of viral infection during pregnancy. During this time, it is necessary for women to take even greater care of their health.

Pregnancy is indeed a time of joy, but it is also a time that requires care, since a healthy pregnancy is beneficial not only for the mother, but also for the baby. So, by taking care of her own health, the pregnant woman is also taking care of her unborn child’s health.

Basic Recommendations

For a pregnant woman to live a peaceful and healthy life, she needs to have a good diet, drink plenty of fluids, avoid smoking and alcohol consumption. Above all, she should follow her doctor’s recommendations and adopt a healthy lifestyle. However, even after following all possible recommendations, a woman can still be caught off guard by a viral infection during pregnancy.

IMPORTANT: With the hormonal changes that occur in a woman’s body during pregnancy, it is common for her immune system to be weakened and therefore, even with a healthy diet and regular doctor visits, it is still possible to catch some type of viral infection.

The body fights off various types of bacteria, viruses, and microbes every day, and the immune system is responsible for defending the body, expelling these invaders. When the immune system works well, it results in a healthier and more energetic life, because its function is precisely to keep people free from diseases, but for that, the immunity needs to be high, which is not the case for pregnant women. The immune system of pregnant women is weakened due to hormonal variations caused by the changes in the body during pregnancy. Low immunity in pregnancy brings consequences for pregnant women, among them a greater likelihood of getting sick, since their bodies are more prone to viral and bacterial invasion. For these and other reasons, being monitored by a doctor throughout pregnancy is essential.

Symptoms of a Viral Infection

When facing a viral infection during pregnancy, there is no need for the woman to panic—the baby will not be affected. This will only happen if all the preventive recommendations from the doctor are not followed, since a viral infection will only affect the baby if the mother does not stay properly hydrated during the illness.

A well-hydrated body not only functions better, but also helps ensure that the baby develops even more healthily2. Viral infections, like any other disease, also have symptoms, and the main symptoms can be easily identified, including:

  • Fever
  • Diarrhea
  • Lack of appetite
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Muscle pain
  • Abdominal pain
  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Malaise

The pregnant woman does not need to wait until she has all these symptoms to seek medical advice. If she experiences two or even just one of these symptoms, that is already enough reason to see her doctor.

Most Common Viral Infections

Among all types of viral infections, there are two types that are quite common:

Rotavirus – this disease spreads easily. It is mainly transmitted by airborne droplets, contaminated food, water, and by hand contact.

Norovirus – not as common as rotavirus. It can be contracted through eating raw foods prepared by contaminated hands.

How to Treat a Viral Infection During Pregnancy

Catching a viral infection is quite unpleasant, especially when pregnant, because besides your body having to adapt to all the changes brought by pregnancy, it also has to fight off a virus, putting the woman in an even more delicate condition3.

That is why it is important to have check-ups with your obstetrician even if you are not experiencing any symptoms, and if you have one of the symptoms listed above, it is important to follow your doctor’s advice correctly.

The doctor may prescribe specific medications for the pregnant woman, but other recommendations should also be followed, such as:

  • Resting
  • Eating healthy foods
  • Drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated

Therefore, treating a viral infection is not very complicated—it is actually simple. But just because it is simple, that does not mean it doesn’t require attention, quite the contrary. Any sign of change or alteration in the body should be reported and monitored by your obstetrician.

See also: Sexual Intercourse During Pregnancy: Is It Allowed?

Photo: TC-Torres