Is it normal to get chickenpox during pregnancy? what to do

In the second stage of pregnancy, the physical condition of pregnant women will become worse and worse, and they are prone to some diseases that damage the body's immunity. They will suffer from various inflammations or skin diseases, including high blood pressure, high blood lipids, etc. The most serious is the contagious chickenpox. Chickenpox will affect the normal development of the human body and may even endanger the baby in the belly. Therefore, chickenpox during pregnancy is generally not harmful, but prevention work should be done.

Different stages of pregnancy have different effects

(1) 1 to 4 months of pregnancy: may cause fetal malformation and developmental abnormalities.

(2) 4-5 months of pregnancy: It can cause serious damage to the fetal muscles, nerves, eyes, brain, lungs, and skin.

(3) 16 days before birth to 2 days after birth: 25% of newborns will develop severe varicella 5 to 10 days after birth. If left untreated, the mortality rate can be as high as 30%.

How harmful is chickenpox to pregnant women ?

Pregnant women will have more severe chickenpox than children and ordinary adults, and are more likely to develop varicella pneumonia, hepatitis, myocarditis, nephritis, and thrombocytopenic purpura, which can be life-threatening in severe cases.

How long does it take for a pregnant woman to develop symptoms after being infected with the varicella virus?

Varicella is highly contagious and can be transmitted through respiratory droplets or direct contact. Diseases will occur 10 to 20 days after infection.

How to prevent chickenpox ?

Pregnant women must stay away from people with chickenpox to prevent infection by the chickenpox virus. Avoid going to crowded public places. If you have never had chickenpox, you can get the chickenpox vaccine before pregnancy if necessary, in two injections, 3 months apart.

What should a pregnant woman do if she gets chickenpox ?

Early antiviral treatment is the key. It is best to start treatment within 3 days of the onset of the rash. Acyclovir can be used, and it is generally used for 5 to 10 days. It can alleviate clinical symptoms, shorten the course of the disease and prevent dissemination. It usually heals in about 2 weeks.