We all encounter many viruses and bacteria throughout our lives.
This page is about infections that can cause problems during pregnancy, their symptoms and what to do if you are concerned.
Chickenpox during pregnancy
Chicken-poxAn infection during pregnancy can be dangerous for both you and your baby. So it's important to get early advice if you think you have chickenpox.
Most adults in Britain are immune to chickenpox. But if you have never had chickenpox (or you're not sure if you have) and you come into contact with a child or adult who has, contact your GP, midwife or obstetrician immediately. A blood test will show whether you are immune.
CMVin pregnancy
CMV (cytomegalovirus) is a common virus that is part of the herpes group and can also cause cold sores and chickenpox. CMV infections are common in young children.
Infections can be dangerous during pregnancy because they can cause problems for the unborn child, such as hearing loss, visual impairment or blindness, learning difficulties and epilepsy.
CMV is especially dangerous for your baby if you haven't had the infection before.
It is not always possible to prevent a CMV infection, but you can reduce the risk by:
- wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water, especially if you change diapers or work in a daycare or day care center
- Don't kiss small children on the face; it is better to kiss them on the head or give them a hug
- do not share food or cutlery with small children and do not drink from the same glass as them
This is especially important if you have a job that puts you in close contact with young children.
Learn more about cytomegalovirus
Group B streptococci during pregnancy
Group B Streptococcus (GBS or Group B Streptococcus)rarely causes damage or symptoms.
It causes no problems in most pregnancies, but in a small number group B streptococci infects the baby, usually just before or during birth, leading to serious illness.
If you have already had a baby who had a group B streptococcal infection, you will need to be given antibiotics during labor to reduce the chance of your new baby getting the infection. You should also receive them during labor if you have had a group B streptococcal urinary tract infection during pregnancy.
Group B streptococcal infection in the baby is more likely if:
- you go inpremature birth(before 37 weeks of pregnancy)
- Labor will not start within 24 hours after your waters break
- you have a high fever during childbirth
- you are currently a carrier of group B streptococci
Your midwife or doctor will assess whether you should be given antibiotics during labor to protect your baby against infections.
It is possible to be tested for group B streptococci late in pregnancy. Contact your doctor or midwife if you have any concerns.
Infections transmitted by animals
Cats
Cat feces can contain toxoplasma - an organism that causes thistoxoplasmosis. Toxoplasmosis can harm your baby.
To reduce the risk of infection:
- avoid emptying the litter box while you are pregnant
- If no one else can empty the litter box, use disposable rubber gloves – the boxes should be cleaned daily
- avoid close contact with sick cats
- even if you don't have a cat, you should wear gloves when working in the garden if the soil is contaminated with feces
- wash your hands and gloves after gardening
- If you come into contact with cat feces, wash your hands thoroughly
- Follow general food hygiene rules -Read more about food hygiene on the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration website
To get
Lambs and sheep can carry toxoplasma, which causes toxoplasmosis.
Avoid lambing or milking ewes, as well as any contact with newborn lambs. Tell your doctor if you experience flu-like symptoms after coming into contact with sheep.
To celebrate
Research is underway to see if pigs could be a source of hepatitis E infection. This infection is dangerous if you are pregnant.
Prevent infections by:
- avoid close contact with pigs
- cook pork and pork products thoroughly
- wash your hands thoroughly after handling animals and before preparing, serving and eating food
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis Bis a virus that infects the liver. Many people with hepatitis B show no signs of illness, but they can be carriers and infect others.
The virus is spread by having sex with an infected person without using a condom and through direct contact with infected blood. If you have hepatitis B or were infected during pregnancy, you can pass the infection to your child at birth.
As part of your prenatal care, you will be offered a hepatitis B blood test. At-risk babies should receive the hepatitis B vaccine at birth and then again at 4 weeks and 12 months, in addition to their routine vaccinations, to prevent infections and serious liver disease later in life.
Hepatitis C
Ofhepatitis C virusinfects the liver. Many people with hepatitis C have no symptoms and are unaware that they are infected. The virus is transmitted through direct contact with infected blood.
In people who use illegal drugs, this can result from sharing needles contaminated with blood.
People who received a blood transfusion or blood products in Britain before September 1991 may also be at risk.
Hepatitis C can also be transmitted by receiving medical or dental treatment in countries where hepatitis C is common and infection control may be poor, or by having sex with an infected partner.
If you have hepatitis C, you can pass the infection to your baby, although the risk is much lower than with hepatitis B or HIV. This cannot currently be prevented.
Your baby may be tested for hepatitis C and if he or she is infected, may be referred for assessment by a specialist.
Herpesin pregnancy
Genital herpesinfection can be dangerous for a newborn baby.
You can get herpes through genital contact with an infected person or through oral sex with someone who has cold sores (oral herpes).
The first infection causes painful blisters or sores on the genitals. Less serious outbreaks usually occur a few years later.
Treatment is possible if your first infection occurs during pregnancy. If your first infection occurs towards the end of pregnancy or during delivery, aCesarean sectionmay be recommended to reduce the risk of transmitting herpes to your baby.
If you or your partner has herpes, use a condom or avoid sex during an outbreak. Avoid unprotected oral sex as herpes is very easily transmitted.
Tell your midwife or doctor if you or your partner have recurring herpes or develop sores.
HIV during pregnancy
You will be presented with a confidential offerHIV (human immunodeficiency virus)testing as part of your routine prenatal care. Your midwife or doctor will discuss the test with you and if the result is positive, guidance is available.
Read more about screening for HIV during pregnancy
Current evidence shows that if you are HIV positive, in good health and have no symptoms of the infection, you are unlikely to experience any ill effects from pregnancy.
However, HIV can be transmitted to your baby during pregnancy, birth, lactation or lactation.
If you have been diagnosed with HIV, you and your doctor should discuss how to manage your pregnancy and delivery to reduce the risk of infection to your baby.
Treatment during pregnancy significantly reduces the risk of you passing HIV on to the baby – from 1 in 4 to less than 1 in 300. Your baby will be tested for HIV at birth and at regular intervals for up to 2 years. They receive medication for 2 to 4 weeks after birth to reduce the risk of HIV infection.
You are advised not to breastfeed or breastfeed as HIV can be passed to your baby in this way.
If you are HIV positive, talk to your doctor or midwife about your own health and your options. There are also organizations you can contact for information and support, including:
The British HIV Association (BHIVA) has more information about HIV and pregnancy
Video: HIV and pregnancy
This video explores Sarah's story about HIV and pregnancy.
Media last reviewed: November 16, 2023
Media review expires: November 16, 2026
Slapped Cheek Syndrome During Pregnancy
Slapped cheek syndromeis common in children. It usually causes a rash on the face.
Slapped cheek syndrome is highly contagious and can be harmful to the child.
If you come into contact with someone who is infected, contact your doctor. He may order a blood test to check whether you are immune. In most cases, if you have 'slapped cheek' syndrome, the child will not be affected.
Rubella (German measles) during pregnancy
Rodent dogis unusual in Britain due to the high uptake ofMMR vaccination (measles, mumps and rubella)..
However, if you get rubella in the first four months of pregnancy, it can lead to serious problems, including birth defects and miscarriage.
If you are pregnant, contact your doctor or midwife as soon as possible if:
- you come into contact with someone who has rubella
- you have a rash or come into contact with someone who has a rash
- you have symptoms of rubella
In these circ*mstances you are unlikely to have rubella, but you may need a blood test to check this.
If you are pregnant and unsure whether you have received 2 doses of the MMR vaccine, ask your GP to check your vaccination history.
If you have not had both doses or there are no records, you should ask for the vaccine at your postnatal check-up six weeks after birth. This will protect you in all future pregnancies.
The MMR vaccine cannot be given during pregnancy.
STD pregnancy
Sexually transmitted infections (STDs) often have no symptoms, so you may not know if you have one. However, many venereal diseases can affect the health of your child both during pregnancy and after birth.
If you have reason to think that you or your partner may have an STD, get checked as soon as possible. You can ask your doctor or midwife about this. If you want, you can go to a sexual health clinic. Confidentiality is guaranteed.
Find a sexual health clinic near you
If you are under 25, you may be able to do soorder a free chlamydia test online.
Zika-virus
OfZika-viruscan cause birth defects if you get the disease while you are pregnant. In particular, it can cause the child to have an abnormally small head (microcephaly).
Zika does not occur naturally in Britain. Get travel health advice before your trip if you plan to go to an affected area, such as:
- South or Central America
- The Caribbean
- the islands in the Pacific Ocean
- Africa
- Asia
While you are pregnant, it is recommended to postpone non-essential travel to high-risk areas.
Get information about country-specific risk on the TravelHealthPro website
It is also recommended that you do not become pregnant while traveling and for 3 months after returning to Britain.
Zika is spread by mosquitoes or by having sex with someone who is infected. You can reduce your risk of mosquito bites by using insect repellents that contain DEET and wearing loose clothing that covers your arms and legs.
