Scarlet fever during pregnancy is a rather dangerous disease. Pathology is treated with antibiotics, which is very undesirable when carrying a child. The article will discuss the causes of scarlet fever, its symptoms and treatment.
How is the disease transmitted?
It has been established that scarlet fever occurs in areas with a temperate or cold climate. Getting sick with it is quite simple.
The infection is transmitted by airborne droplets and through household items (linen, dishes, toys). Infection can occur through food, that is, by an alimentary route.
Currently, there are almost no methods that can prevent infection. The first days of the disease are especially dangerous when a person easily infects the people around him. After 21 days, he is not able to infect anyone.
Is scarlet fever dangerous during pregnancy? The difficulty in diagnosing it is due to the fact that its symptoms are similar to signs of a sore throat. If a woman does not consult a doctor in a timely manner, then complications may occur.
Causes of pathology
Scarlet fever infection can cause streptococcus. Pathology has an infectious nature. She has a high degree of infectivity and scarlet fever almost always occurs acutely. Any woman can be ill with it during the period of bearing a child. This is due to the huge susceptibility of the human body to the pathogen.
Scarlet fever during pregnancy may occur due to the fact that a woman has a physiologically reduced body resistance. During the period of gestation, all the forces of the body are aimed at preserving the fetus. And scarlet fever is able to affect people with an immunodeficiency state, which is considered pregnancy in this situation.
Infection occurs in the following cases:
- contact with the carrier of the disease (hugs, kisses and more);
- use of common things with an infected person;
- non-observance of the rules of personal hygiene (washing hands, food);
- the presence of wounds and burns on the skin.
Scarlet fever is a seasonal disease. It is most common during cold weather. Outbreaks of scarlet fever in individual groups may be recorded.
The most dangerous period for others is the first few days of illness in an infected person. Due to the increased susceptibility to infectious agents, up to 21 days the patient must be isolated. After 3 weeks, it becomes harmless to other people.
Signs of scarlet fever
Basically, the disease in pregnant women passes in a rather mild form. However, an infectious pathology is known having a moderate or severe course.
There are two types of scarlet fever:
- A typical form of the disease. It has a lot of bright signs of infection.
- Atypical form. Has a fuzzy clinical picture.
Scarlet fever during pregnancy is characterized by headache, weakness and fatigue. The disease begins acutely. The first signs of pathology arise first:
- Fever.
- Sensation of general weakness.
- Muscle aches and chills.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Abdominal pain.
- Cardiopalmus.
Depending on the state of immunity, a woman's skin changes in the first 3 days:
- Original face and torso.
- Then the disease appears on the legs.
- Within 3 days, the entire skin is covered with rashes completely.
- The rash begins to fade and completely disappears by the end of the third week.
Change in the skin is a characteristic sign of the disease. Rashes are not observed in the region of the nasolabial triangle. Changes in the skin appear as small dots.
If the causative agent of scarlet fever enters the body of a woman through the oral cavity, it causes irritation to the mucosa.
In such a situation, acute tonsillitis develops, which is accompanied by:
- swelling of the tonsils;
- eye redness;
- reddening of the glands;
- gray coating;
- an increase in lymph nodes in the neck and jaw.
Gradually, rashes and symptoms in the throat disappear. Later, the skin begins to peel off, so that it completely disappears from the foot and palms.
Pregnancy Danger
Scarlet fever is an infectious pathology, so it is dangerous for complications if it occurs during the period of gestation. This has its own characteristics.
Scarlet fever during pregnancy in the 1st trimester can cause:
- Spontaneous abortion (miscarriage).
- Malformations in the fetus.
Scarlet fever during pregnancy in the 3rd trimester can contribute to:
- The development of preterm birth.
- Oxygen starvation of the fetus.
- Inflammatory diseases of the organs (glomerulonephritis, synovitis, otitis media and others).
- Inflammation of the lung tissue in an unborn baby.
With a mild course of the disease, no complications during pregnancy are observed, however, women need to seek treatment on time and follow all doctor's prescriptions. Then you can avoid the negative impact of pathology.
What are the consequences and danger of scarlet fever during pregnancy?
If treatment of scarlet fever during pregnancy was started in a timely manner, then complications practically do not develop. Otherwise, a pregnant woman may experience:
- myocarditis;
- synovitis;
- nephritis.
In addition, pathology very rarely occurs during pregnancy, because by the age of 20 years, a woman develops a stable immunity to infection.
Diagnostic Methods
The difficulty in diagnosing scarlet fever is due to its similarity with angina. Initially, the doctor examines the patient and prescribes the necessary tests (blood, urine and smear from the throat).
During the examination, a woman should consult with her obstetrician-gynecologist. In parallel with the state of the mother, the health of the fetus is also observed. Together with the infectious disease doctor, the patient is prescribed gentle treatment taking into account the gestational age, the complexity of the course of the disease and a possible threat to the unborn child.
Therapy Features
The whole problem in prescribing the right treatment is that it is harmful for pregnant women to take antibiotics, especially in the early stages.
Self-medication for women with scarlet fever is not recommended. This will allow her to avoid many complications and pathologies in the future baby.
With scarlet fever and early pregnancy, a woman is prescribed immunostimulating and general strengthening treatment, because antibiotic therapy is not recommended.
Additionally, with a pregnant woman’s pathology,
- use the children's Panadol or Paracetamol to lower the temperature;
- observe bed rest and diet for a week;
- gargle with antiseptic agents;
- carry out wet cleaning indoors using disinfectants;
- observe the rules of personal hygiene;
- eat only warm food;
- use personalized dishes, linens and clothes;
- drink more fluids.
With scarlet fever during pregnancy in the 2nd trimester, as well as the third, antibiotic treatment can be used. To remove toxins from the body, women are recommended to drink a lot and gargle with decoctions of herbs.
After recovery, the pregnant woman is sent for an ultrasound scan to verify the fetal health status and the necessary tests are prescribed.
Approved Medicines
Scarlet fever during pregnancy is treated only with a certain group of drugs. Of antibiotics, the following are allowed for use:
- "Flemoxin Solutab".
- Amoxiclav.
- "Augmentin."
- Sumamed.
The dosage of the drug for each woman is selected individually. Violating it is prohibited. Accurate intake and compliance with the recommended dosages of the drug will avoid the negative impact on the health of the expectant mother and child.
Gargling with scarlet fever is allowed by Miramistin and Chlorhexidine.
In addition to medicines, traditional medicine is used. This should only be done after consulting a doctor.
Folk methods
Self-medication during the illness is not recommended for women. Only after the permission of the attending physician can you use herbal infusions or teas for drinking. From medicinal plants, the use of chamomile, sage or calendula is allowed.
There are several recipes that can be used by pregnant women:
- Infusion of Valerian. 1 tbsp. spoon grass roots pour 200 ml of boiling water and leave for 12 hours. Take the infusion three times a day for a tablespoon.
- Parsley broth. 1 teaspoon of the root of the plant pour a glass of boiling water and drink three times a day.
Of particular benefit to the body of a pregnant woman during this period is a mixture of lemon juice, lingonberries and cranberries. A day is recommended to drink a glass of warm drink.
For gargling, you can use 1 tbsp. spoonful of sage, chamomile and calendula. A mixture of herbs pour a glass of boiling water and insist. Rinse procedure 2-3 times a day.
Prevention
Vaccination for the disease is not carried out, therefore, women in preparation for pregnancy, it is necessary to pass tests and exclude the likelihood of the presence of pathogenic streptococcus in the body. When visiting a clinic, a woman is best to use a gauze bandage. If possible, avoid contact with sick people.
When visiting crowded places, pregnant women also need to take special precautions. To strengthen the immune system, it is necessary to include fresh vegetables and fruits in the menu, and eat properly and balanced.
It is necessary to observe the rules of personal hygiene, ventilate the room and regularly conduct wet cleaning.
If infection has occurred, then the woman needs to see a doctor and adhere to all his recommendations.
Forecast
With proper therapy for scarlet fever during pregnancy, the prognosis is usually favorable. The main danger is only the early gestation of the child. With strict observance of the recommendations of a specialist and taking the prescribed drugs, complications of scarlet fever and unpleasant consequences of infection can be completely avoided. Usually the disease does not have a harmful effect on the fetus.