HealthPartners - Your guide to pregnancy

The flu shot given in your arm is made from inactive virus and is safe to get during pregnancy. The nasal spray version uses live flu virus and is not recommended if you are pregnant. GENITAL HERPES Genital herpes is a viral disease that causes painful blisters and sores on the sex organs of both men and women. It can also cause flu-like symptoms. A newborn baby exposed to this virus may suffer serious and permanent neurological damage. Herpes is spread by direct contact with someone who has active sores or blisters. If you or your sexual partner have had herpes outbreaks in the past, tell your health care provider. There is no cure for herpes, but there are precautions you can take to protect your baby before and during childbirth. Taking medication during the last 4-6 weeks of pregnancy can lower the chances of a flare-up. HEPATITIS B Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver caused by a virus. Because it can be passed to your newborn baby, it is very serious. Treatment reduces a baby’s risk of dying from the disease. It also prevents the child from unknowingly passing the infection to others later in life. You will be routinely tested for hepatitis B early in your pregnancy. If you test positive, your baby will receive special treatment immediately after birth. Newborn babies are now immunized for hepatitis B before leaving the hospital. If you have hepatitis B, you can still safely breastfeed. HEPATITIS C Hepatitis C is another type of hepatitis virus that can infect the liver and be transmitted to a baby during childbirth. But it is much less likely to be passed to the baby than hepatitis B. You won’t be routinely tested for hepatitis C unless you have known risk factors, including sharing hypodermic needles or having unprotected sex with someone infected with hepatitis C before you became pregnant. Tell your health care provider if you know you have risk factors. Your baby will be checked for hepatitis C at birth and followed during early childhood to see if it develops. There are successful treatment programs for this disease. If you have active herpes sores when you go into labor or when your water breaks, you will need to have a cesarean birth. NEED TO KNOW

Getting the vaccine may also protect you from severe or life-threatening illness if you do contract COVID. It is extremely important that pregnant and recently pregnant people protect themselves from getting COVID-19. This also applies to anyone eligible for the vaccine who may live with or visit the pregnant person. Masking, avoiding large crowds, washing your hands regularly, maintaining at least 6 feet of distance from people who are coughing or sneezing, and staying at home if you feel ill are important steps to prevent infection and slow transmission of COVID-19. CYTOMEGALOVIRUS (CMV) Cytomegalovirus is a common virus that can infect almost anyone. It is related to the viruses that cause chickenpox, herpes simplex, and mononucleosis. Once you’re infected, the virus remains with you for life but is not always active. Most people don’t know they have CMV because it causes mild or no symptoms. If you are pregnant and develop an active CMV infection, you can pass the virus to your baby. Premature babies are at the highest risk for infection. If you have flu-like symptoms, a blood test can determine whether you have the disease. There is no cure for CMV, but drugs can help treat newborns and people with weakened immune systems.

NEED TO KNOW

When you’re pregnant, health experts recommend that you get a flu shot as soon as it becomes available in the fall.

FLU Flu season is usually October through May. Catching the flu when you’re pregnant increases your risk for developing pneumonia. It can also cause serious problems for your unborn baby. Getting a flu shot helps protect you and protects your baby after birth until the baby can be vaccinated at 6 months old.

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