Reducing Your Risk of Infection in Pregnancy
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There are a few steps you can take to reduce your risk of getting an infection in pregnancy. They include the following:
Practice Good Hygiene
Good hygiene includes washing your hands often. Hand washing is the best way to prevent some contagious infections during pregnancy. Good hygiene also includes not sharing food, drinks, or utensils. This is especially important if you work with large groups of children and if you already have young children at home. Hands should always be washed after changing diapers and helping children with their own hygiene.
Be Immunized
It is best to obtain any needed immunizations several months before your pregnancy. If needed, you can safely receive some vaccines, such as the flu vaccine , during pregnancy.
If you are planning to become pregnant, talk with your healthcare provider about whether you need immunizations for the following diseases:
There are several infections that have no vaccine available. You can reduce your risk of getting these infections by practicing good hygiene and avoiding direct contact with infected people.
Avoid Exposure to Diseases
- Avoid travel to high-risk locations. If you are planning to travel during pregnancy, talk with your doctor about the safety of your destination.
- Make sure children and other family household members are up-to-date with their immunizations.
- Have someone else change the cat’s litter box. Or, wear gloves and wash hands carefully after doing this. Also, wear gloves while gardening, and wash hands after working in the yard.
- Maintain a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested for STDs and is not infected. If you have a new partner during pregnancy, use latex condoms every time you have intercourse.
Avoid Contaminated Food
- Avoid soft cheeses.
- Avoid all rare or uncooked meat.
- Cook leftover food or ready-to-eat foods until they are steaming hot.
- Avoid foods from delicatessen counters, or thoroughly heat cold cuts and hot dogs before eating.
References
Barss, VA. Avoiding infections in pregnancy. Up-to-Date Patient Information website. Available at: http://uptodate.com/ . Accessed October 2004
Last reviewed June 2007 by Ganson Purcell Jr., MD, FACOG, FACPE
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Copyright © 2007 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.