[Medical Q&A] The eldest child has chickenpox, and the pregnant mother who is pregnant with the second child has never had chickenpox. How can she prevent infection?

Planner: Chinese Medical Association

Reviewer: Ma Liangkun, Chief Physician, Peking Union Medical College Hospital

Chickenpox is an acute infectious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Theoretically, pregnant women who have not been infected with chickenpox or have not received the chickenpox vaccine may be infected after contact with chickenpox patients, but they will only be infected when the skin of susceptible pregnant women is damaged. Pregnant women infected with chickenpox may cause serious complications (such as pneumonia, encephalitis, etc.). For safety reasons, pregnant mothers must take protective measures.

If conditions permit, the eldest child should live separately from the pregnant mother until the eldest child's chickenpox is completely healed (usually takes 7 to 10 days); if it is not possible to live separately, try to keep the eldest child in a separate room to reduce contact with the pregnant mother. All family members should wash their hands frequently, especially after contacting the eldest child, avoid touching the face and hands, and do not share towels, clothes, bedding, etc., to prevent the virus from spreading through indirect contact. Regularly clean and disinfect public areas at home, especially door handles, desks, toys and other frequently touched items, keep indoor air circulation, open windows for ventilation regularly, and reduce the concentration of viruses in the air. The eldest child should wear loose clothes, try to cover the blisters, avoid overflow of blister fluid, and be careful not to scratch the blisters. Pregnant mothers should maintain adequate sleep and a balanced diet, avoid excessive fatigue. If they accidentally come into contact with broken blisters, doctors will recommend injections of varicella immunoglobulin to prevent or reduce the clinical symptoms of varicella infection. The ideal vaccination time is within 96 hours after contact. Pregnant mothers should closely observe whether they have early symptoms of varicella such as fever and rash, and seek medical attention in time if abnormalities are found.