Symptoms of Infection in Pregnancy

June 10, 2008 - 7:30am

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Symptoms of Infection in Pregnancy

Symptoms of infection in pregnancy vary depending on the infection. Infections such as ]]>cytomegalovirus (CMV)]]> , ]]>group B streptococcal disease (GBS)]]> , ]]>toxoplasmosis]]> , and some sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) may not have any symptoms at all. Or an infection may cause mild, flu-like symptoms. If you think you have an infection during your pregnancy, it is important to talk to your doctor as soon as possible.

Symptoms of ]]>parvovirus B19 (fifth disease)]]> may include:
- Joint pain
- Tiredness
- Rash on the face, trunk, arms, and legs
Symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) may include:
- Itching around vagina
- Discharge from vagina
- Pain during sex
- Pain in the pelvic area
- Sores or blisters in the pelvic area
Symptoms of ]]>chorioamnionitis]]> may include:
- High temperature and fever
- Rapid heartbeat (the baby may also have a rapid heartbeat)
- Sweating
- A uterus that is tender to the touch
- A discharge from the vagina that has an unusual smell
Symptoms of listeriosis may include:
- Mild flu-like symptoms
- Headaches
- Muscle aches
- Fever
- If listeriosis spreads to the nervous system it can cause stiff neck, disorientation, or convulsions.
Symptoms of a ]]>urinary tract infection]]> (UTI) may include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Discomfort or burning feeling when urinating
- Sense of incomplete bladder emptying
- Aching pain over the bladder
- Blood in the urine
- Need to urinate very often
- If the UTI passes up to the kidneys and into the blood stream, it can cause pelvic pain, back pain, vomiting, a fever, and can even start early labor.

References:

Avoiding infections in pregnancy. UpToDate Patient Information website. Available at: http://patients.uptodate.com/topic.asp?file=pregnan/2251 . Accessed September 13, 2005.

Bacterial vaginosis during pregnancy. American Pregnancy Association website. Available at: http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancycomplications/bacterialvaginoses.htm . Accessed September 13, 2005.

Chickenpox (varicella). March of Dimes website. Available at: http://www.marchofdimes.com/pnhec/188_675.asp . Accessed September 2, 2005.

Chorioamnionitis. Cleveland Clinic Foundation website. Available at: http://www.clevelandclinic.org/health/health-info/docs/3800/3857.asp?index=12309 . Accessed September 13, 2005.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/cmv.htm . Accessed September 10, 2005.

Cytomegalovirus infection in pregnancy. March of Dimes website. Available at: http://www.marchofdimes.com/professionals/681_1195.asp . Accessed September 5, 2005.

Group B streptococcal disease (GBS). National Center for Infectious Diseases website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/groupbstrep_g.htm . Accessed September 13, 2005.

Listeria and pregnancy. American Pregnancy Association website. Available at: http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancyhealth/listeria.html . Accessed September 13, 2005.

Parvovirus B19 infection and pregnancy. National Center for Infectious Diseases website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/respiratory/B19&preg.htm . Accessed September 13, 2005.

Rubella. March of Dimes website. http://www.marchofdimes.com/pnhec/188_673.asp . Accessed September 2, 2005.

STDs and pregnancy. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/std/STDFact-STDs&Pregnancy.htm#test . Accessed September 5, 2005.

Toxoplasmosis in pregnancy. American Academy of Family Physicians website. Available at: http://familydoctor.org/180.xml . Accessed September 13, 2005.

Urinary tract infection during pregnancy. American Pregnancy Association website. Available at: http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancycomplications/utiduringpreg.html . Accessed September 2, 2005.

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.