Measles During Pregnancy: How To Take Care Of yourself And Expecting Baby

Rubeola, also known as measles, is a highly transmissible viral illness. Measles infections during pregnancy do not result in defects in the baby, but pregnant women and newborns are more vulnerable to measles-related medical complications than the general population. Rubella can be passed from mother to fetus and cause complications, especially in unvaccinated women. Pneumonia and hospitalization are examples of these complications.

Measles infections during pregnancy can also result in stillbirth, miscarriage, a low birth weight, and a greater chance of premature birth. So, how can you safeguard yourself and the baby you’re expecting against the measles virus? We respond to some frequently asked questions.

What Are The Typical Symptoms And Signs Of Measles Infection, And How Is It Transmitted?

The virus is extremely transmissible and resides in the mucus of the infected person’s nose and throat. Coughing and sneezing are common ways for it to pass on from person to person, and it may stay airborne and contagious for as long as two hours. As a result, even if a measles-infected person coughed or sneezed two hours prior to your arrival, you could still catch the illness from breathing in the air in the space. When someone has the measles, he or she is contagious for four days before and four days following the rash appears. The virus that causes rubella can be spread through an infected person’s saliva or mucus. Measles is an airborne infection that spreads through droplets from coughing or sneezing. The virus may also pass from infected person to infected person via contaminated items, kissing, handshakes, shared beverages or foods.

Measles is most frequently characterized by fever, exhaustion, coughing, itchy or red eyes, runny nose, Koplik spots (white lesions on the inner cheek), and a raised rash. Rubella symptoms include a low fever and sore throat, followed by a rash on the face that spreads throughout the body. It may take seven and 21 days after being exposed to the measles virus for symptoms to appear. Other symptoms include cough, a sore throat, headache, swollen lymph nodes, and muscle or joint pain.

Although routine childhood vaccination has reduced the incidence of rubella. This usually mild infection can cause serious complications in unvaccinated pregnant women. The occurrence of rubella in pregnant women is comparable to that of non-pregnant women, with vaccination serving as the only preventive measure.

What Problems Can Measles Infection Cause During Pregnancy?

Although rubella is a mild disease with simple treatments, it can cause serious fetal complications in not immunized pregnant women. The degree of severity of the disease is determined by the time it is contracted. If the infection is acquired during the first trimester, complications are most likely to happen.

The following are possible side effects of contracting rubella during pregnancy: Congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) occurs when the virus infects the fetus through the mother. It is characterized by low birth weight and serious congenital anomalies like heart defects. Glaucoma and cataracts are two examples of eye problems in unborn babies following rubella infection. Other complications include deafness, growth retardation and learning disabilities, diabetes, liver, and spleen problems in new born.

CRS cannot be cured, despite some symptoms being managed. Because there is no cure, women must get vaccinated before becoming pregnant.

Recommendations for Vaccines

Women who intend to become pregnant should consult their doctor to ensure that they are fully vaccinated before becoming pregnant.

MMR vaccine should not be administered to pregnant women Pregnant women who are not currently immunized should postpone getting the MMR vaccine until after giving birth because it is an attenuated (weakened) live virus vaccine.

After receiving the MMR vaccine, adult women of childbearing age should wait at least four weeks before trying to get pregnant. Contact your doctor if you contract rubella or are exposed to it while pregnant.

References: 

1. https://www.cdc.gov/rubella/pregnancy.html
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8376255/
3. https://www.who.int/
4. https://main.mohfw.gov.in/sites/default/files/195431585071489665073.pdf