Symptoms of chickenpox in pregnant women. Is it dangerous or not for a pregnant woman to contact a sick chickenpox if she had been ill before pregnancy: risks, consequences, predictions for the baby's life

Chickenpox (chickenpox) is an infectious disease caused by the herpes virus. The virus is transmitted from an infected person to a healthy person by airborne droplets.

If you had chickenpox as a child, then most likely this infection does not threaten your pregnancy and will not affect the health of the fetus. If you have not had chickenpox, then you need to avoid contact with this infection so as not to become infected yourself and not to infect your unborn child.

Is chickenpox dangerous during pregnancy?

If you get chickenpox during pregnancy, the unborn child may develop congenital chickenpox, which is manifested by scars on the skin, low birth weight, and mental and physical retardation.

The risk that chickenpox during pregnancy will cause certain consequences depends on the gestational age at which the infection occurred. windmill on later dates pregnancy is much more dangerous than chickenpox on early dates:

Chickenpox in the early stages can lead to miscarriage, however, if the fetus survives, then the risk of complications of chickenpox will be very small (less than 1%).

If chickenpox appeared in the second trimester, the risk of consequences is about 2%.

The greatest risk is infection of a pregnant woman in the third trimester. If a pregnant woman has contracted chickenpox a few days before giving birth, then the risk of congenital chickenpox in an unborn child is 20-25%.

What should I do if I was in contact with a person with chickenpox during pregnancy?

First of all, try to remember if you had chickenpox as a child (if you don’t remember, then ask your mom).

If you have had chickenpox, then you most likely have strong immunity, and you will not be re-infected as a result of contact with a sick person. In this case, you do not need to take any action.

If you have been vaccinated against chickenpox, then infection will also not occur, and you should not worry.

If you have not had chickenpox, or are not sure about it, then you need to take a blood test for antibodies to chickenpox (antibodies to the varicella-zoster virus or Varicella-Zoster). If the analysis shows that you have immunity, then there is nothing to worry about. If there is no immunity, then as a result of contact with a patient with chickenpox, the risk of infection will be about 90%.

Symptoms of chickenpox during pregnancy

The first symptoms of chickenpox may appear 21 days after infection, although you may notice the first signs of the disease earlier (as early as 2 weeks after contact with a sick person).

It is believed that the older the person at the time of infection with chickenpox, the more pronounced the symptoms of the disease and the more severe it is. The main symptoms of chickenpox in adults (including pregnant women) are:

An increase in body temperature, which is accompanied by headaches, malaise, muscle pain, loss of appetite.

A rash accompanied by severe itching is the main symptom of chickenpox. Chickenpox rashes look like bubbles filled with liquid.

A person becomes contagious two days before the first rash appears and remains contagious for about a week after the last rash appears.

What should I do if I have symptoms of chickenpox during pregnancy?

Chickenpox can be dangerous for you and for your unborn child, so you need to consult a doctor immediately. Before visiting your gynecologist, be sure to call him and warn him that you may have chickenpox. Don't go to the doctor's office unannounced so as not to endanger other pregnant women waiting in line to see the doctor.

Treatment of chickenpox during pregnancy

If the diagnosis of chickenpox is confirmed, you will be treated with the antiviral drug Acyclovir. You will be hospitalized during treatment.

To make sure that the child is not in danger, the doctor will prescribe several ultrasounds during treatment and a few weeks after the end of treatment. If the ultrasound reveals severe developmental anomalies in the fetus, the doctor may recommend termination of the pregnancy.

What should I do if I get chickenpox in the third trimester of pregnancy?

As we have already said, chickenpox infection is most dangerous in late pregnancy, especially shortly before childbirth. If you become infected at the very beginning of the third trimester, then chickenpox probably will not cause serious consequences, since by the time of delivery your body will have time to develop immunity and pass it on to the unborn child through the placenta.

If you get chickenpox 3 weeks before giving birth, then the risk of congenital chickenpox in the unborn child will be increased. However, even if the baby has symptoms of chickenpox by the time of birth, they will be moderate or mild due to the immunity that has time to develop by the time of birth.

The most dangerous infection with chickenpox is 5 days before childbirth or within the first two days after childbirth, because in this short time your body will not have time to develop immunity and pass it on to the unborn child. In this case, the risk of congenital chickenpox in a newborn will be quite high, and without appropriate treatment, this disease can lead to very serious consequences.

In order to reduce the risk of complications, immediately after birth, the child will be treated with chickenpox immunoglobulin. This medicine is obtained from the blood of people who have had chickenpox; this is the same “immunity” against chickenpox that the pregnant woman did not have time to pass on to her unborn child. In order to overcome the virus, the newborn will also be treated with the antiviral drug Acyclovir.

Prevention of chickenpox during pregnancy

If you already had chickenpox as a child, then you do not need to follow any preventive measures. Even contact with a person who has chickenpox will most likely not be dangerous for you.

If you have never had chickenpox, or do not know this for sure, then you need to follow the following recommendations from experts:

Avoid contact with small children and do not visit places with large crowds of people.

Do not interact with people who have symptoms of a cold or skin rash.

If you have children who have not had chickenpox, they should be vaccinated.

Since the chickenpox vaccine cannot be given during pregnancy, do it immediately after giving birth. This will protect you from this disease (it can be more severe in adults than in children), and protect your future children if you become pregnant again.

Chickenpox vaccine

In Russia, there are two vaccines against chicken pox: Okavax and Varilix. Vaccines contain a weakened herpes virus against which the body easily develops immunity. The risk of contracting chickenpox as a result of vaccination exists, but it is extremely small (according to one study, out of 55 million people vaccinated, only 5 developed symptoms of chickenpox).

The chickenpox vaccine should not be given during pregnancy. If you are only planning a pregnancy, then at least 1 month should pass from the moment of vaccination to the conception of a child (and it is best to wait 3 months).

Chickenpox during pregnancy is quite rare. This is due to the fact that most girls and women experience the disease in childhood leading to lifelong immunity. But if this did not happen, the appearance of chickenpox in pregnant women is possible. This carries certain risks that must be taken into account when planning and managing pregnancy.

When can a pregnant woman become infected?

In a pregnant woman, the development of chicken pox occurs after a pathogenic virus, which belongs to the group of herpes viruses, enters the body. This is possible if the expectant mother will be in contact with children or adults who are currently sick.

Chickenpox is transmitted very quickly. Usually, 5 minutes of communication or being in the same room with carriers of the virus is enough. We must not forget that not only the contact of a pregnant woman with a sick chickenpox is considered potentially dangerous, but also with a carrier of herpes zoster.

A person is highly contagious not only at the stage of active appearance of rashes, which coincides with the period of manifestation of the main symptoms. A woman is most likely to become infected and become ill through contact with a patient who has not yet completed the incubation period. In addition, chickenpox in pregnant women may appear after communicating with a carrier of a pathogenic virus, when less than 5 days have passed since the discovery of the last papules on the body.

General description of the disease

Chickenpox during pregnancy develops in the usual way:

incubation period. After a woman comes into contact with a patient, a pathogenic virus begins to actively multiply in her body. Usually this does not affect the well-being of the pregnant woman. The period can last from 7 days to 3 weeks. The duration of the incubation period is affected by the state of the human immune system.
prodromal period. Usually lasts about a day and is characterized by the appearance of fatigue, malaise.
Eruption period. This disease is actively manifested for 1-2 weeks.

chickenpox symptoms

If a pregnant woman has chickenpox, she will experience the following symptoms:

weakness, body aches and fatigue;
increased body temperature - is a great danger to the baby in the womb;
the appearance of a characteristic rash, which eventually becomes covered with dense crusts;
detection of watery papules on the mucous membranes of the mouth, genitals (after a few days, erosions form in their place);
development of severe itching.

Is it worth worrying

Is chickenpox dangerous for pregnant women and for the unborn child? What happens if a woman gets sick? Most often, chickenpox of any severity during pregnancy is not an indication for abortion, but doctors carefully monitor the patient's well-being.

Usually, chickenpox affects pregnancy and the condition of the fetus as follows:

Chickenpox during the 1st trimester of pregnancy is quite dangerous. Although the risk of developing negative consequences does not exceed 1%, chickenpox and early pregnancy can sometimes be incompatible. The disease can cause fetal death in the womb. The main danger is that the varicella-zoster virus leads to the development of a child serious pathologies incompatible with life.
Chickenpox in the 2nd trimester of pregnancy is less dangerous. The baby is protected by the placenta, which protects it from the negative effects of the varicella-zoster virus. The second trimester is considered a completely safe period.
Chickenpox in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy is practically not dangerous. By this time, the fetus is fully formed and ready for birth. But there is a serious danger during pregnancy if the infection of a woman occurred shortly before childbirth.

Dangers for the child

Is chickenpox dangerous for a baby during pregnancy? different terms? It is terrible with such possible consequences:

Death of the fetus in the womb. Chickenpox in early pregnancy quite often ends in miscarriage.
Delayed fetal development. Violation occurs in the first trimester of pregnancy.
The appearance of pathologies of skin development, which is manifested by scars, a violation of the integrity of the epidermis.
Problems from the musculoskeletal system. Various developmental disorders of the limbs (atrophy, malnutrition) are considered severe consequences of chickenpox during pregnancy.
Pathology of the formation of the optic nerve, cataract.
Various disorders of the nervous system.

If infection with a pathogenic virus occurred in late pregnancy closer to childbirth, the child is diagnosed with neonatal chicken pox. During the second half of the third trimester, the woman's body does not have time to develop antibodies to the pathogen, so it becomes extremely dangerous for the fetus. In this case, a few days later, the first symptoms of chickenpox appear in a newborn child, which are combined with severe damage to the epidermis, internal organs and nervous system. With this development of chickenpox, there is a real risk of death (about 20-30%) or disability of the child.

Danger for the pregnant woman herself

Why is chickenpox dangerous for pregnant women, what are the risks? Very rarely, a sick woman has the following complications:

Lung damage. If you get chickenpox during pregnancy, there is a risk of developing pneumonia. Sometimes it even leads to death.
Pregnancy and chickenpox are compatible, but sometimes this combination provokes an inflammatory process in the heart (myocarditis).
Women who become infected with this disease-causing virus put themselves at an increased risk of developing glomerulonephritis, inflammation of the optic nerve, joints, pancreas, and encephalitis.

Is re-infection possible?

Can you get chickenpox again? Anyone who has previously had chickenpox acquires lifelong immunity to the virus. Therefore, women who are already familiar with him are theoretically protected.

But there is always a small chance of re-infection with the virus. A woman should not contact patients at all or limit communication with them as much as possible.

When can you plan a pregnancy?

If a woman has just had chickenpox, she should be carefully examined before planning a conception. It is important to find out what state her body is in.

It is desirable that pregnancy after chickenpox occurs after complete recovery. When a woman is already sick, specific antibodies are present in her blood that protect the child from the pathogenic virus.

Disease prevention

Anyone who has had chickenpox during pregnancy knows what a risk it is to the baby. That is why it is so important to prevent infection with the virus in order to prevent dangerous consequences:

Women who have not been ill before should avoid visiting institutions where there are many children - schools, kindergartens, hospitals.
Before planning a child, it is recommended to be vaccinated against this pathogenic virus.
If a woman has not had chickenpox and has been in close contact with a person who has signs of this disease, it is urgent to inform her gynecologist. In some cases, emergency vaccination is carried out using immunoglobulin containing ready-made antibodies to this virus.
If a woman has encountered this pathogenic virus for a period of 37 weeks or more, if possible, labor is inhibited or measures are taken to reduce negative manifestations in a newborn child.

This disease during pregnancy carries some risks for both the woman and her baby. Therefore, when the first symptoms of the disease appear, you should seek the advice of your doctor.

Potentially dangerous for the fetus, not only in the early stages of gestation, but also then, throughout pregnancy and before childbirth.

Viral "childhood" infections during pregnancy

The period of bearing a baby lasts nine calendar months, and this period may be the most dangerous months in terms of infections and epidemics. Future mom may well get sick not only with colds and flu, but also with special, so-called "children's" infections, most typical for babies and less typical for adults. These include several diseases. But if everyone has heard about the harm, then not everyone knows that chickenpox (or as it is more commonly called - chickenpox) can threaten the pregnant woman and the fetus. Difficulties during the gestation period arise not only with the infection itself and the introduction of the virus into the body, but also with the difficulties in choosing medicines that would effectively fight viruses, while not harming either the mother or the fetus. Many consider chickenpox to be a trivial illness, as most children (but by no means all!) tolerate it easily. But in relation to pregnant women or people with weakened immune systems, this statement is not true, and if the expectant mother did not have chickenpox, she needs to stay as far away as possible from the adult children she has infected.

Is the risk real?

According to obstetrician-gynecologists and infectious disease specialists, chickenpox during gestation, along with many other microbial and viral infections, is extremely dangerous for the fetus and the further development of pregnancy. The degree of risk is especially high during critical periods - the first trimester, when all organs and tissues are laid down and the risks of malformations or death of the embryo are high, as well as the third trimester - when childbirth is soon and all systems and organs must fully function for independent life. But how can this disease become dangerous:

In the first trimester chickenpox acts on the principle of “all or nothing”, and the virus either leads to fatal and irreversible changes in the fetus and in the placenta that is forming, leading to miscarriages, or does not critically affect the fetus, and it continues to develop further.
In the second trimester chickenpox is not dangerous to the fetus, the placenta simply does not pass the virus to the fetus, but it also does not form immunity to this infection.
In the third trimester , after 36 weeks of pregnancy, the virus is dangerous for intrauterine infection of the fetus due to the fact that the immune system does not start infection resistance processes in the fetus. And then the child is born with severe symptoms of congenital chickenpox with lesions not only of the skin, but also of many internal organs, including the nervous system with and.

In the presence of immunity to chickenpox (if a woman had it in childhood or was vaccinated against it), no manifestations of the disease are observed during contact with chickenpox patients in the pregnant woman or the fetus.

What is chickenpox: the danger of the virus

Along with seven more types of viruses that are dangerous to humans for the development of various diseases, the chickenpox virus belongs to. Due to the special properties typical of all representatives of viruses, they are combined into one group, although the symptoms of diseases and treatment may be different. Chickenpox is caused by herpes type 3, and after the initial infection and transfer of chickenpox, it can form exacerbations of herpes zoster throughout life. These are skin rashes on the chest or abdomen along the nerve trunks, due to the reactivation of the herpes virus.

In children or adults, including pregnant women, who get chickenpox for the first time, it manifests itself as a combination of general and local symptoms with the formation of specific rashes on the skin of the body.

Features of chickenpox and shingles

When infected with a virus, chickenpox is formed - a classic infection with skin rashes throughout the body, having the form of grouped bubbles, turning into crusts. After the illness, lifelong immunity remains, and they do not get chickenpox twice (although in recent years there has been evidence that repeated chickenpox is also possible).

The virus remains in the body of a person who has had chickenpox for life, and against the background of severe immunodeficiency, it can form a special manifestation of infection - herpes zoster (herpes rashes along the nerve trunks in the chest or abdomen). During gestation, both variants of the course of chickenpox are possible:

Primary contact with the virus leads to chickenpox infection in almost 100% of cases.
Severe immunodeficiency threatens a pregnant woman with manifestations of a secondary infection - herpes zoster, a painful skin process.

The formation of chicken pox elements on the body is characterized by itching and burning, but they cannot be injured in order to prevent the spread of the virus and the formation of secondary infection with scarring. On average, rashes stay on the skin for about 5-6 days, passing through successive stages of formation, and then disappear without a trace.

Chickenpox symptoms in pregnant women

From the point of view of the infectious process, chicken pox in pregnant women proceeds in its own way. clinical symptoms the same as among other categories of people. It is typical during gestation of successive stages of the process, characterized by specific changes in the body and symptoms. So:

The incubation period lasts for pregnant women from the moment of infection to the first manifestations of a maximum of 21 days, and on average, the clinic develops already in the second week from the moment of contact with the patient.
The prodrome period lasts up to two days and is manifested by general infectious symptoms typical of many SARS and ends with the appearance of the first skin rashes.
The stage of rashes lasts from the first pimples to the last, completely disappearing from the body. On average, this is a period of up to two weeks, sometimes pimples undulate a couple of times with a new round of fever.

The severity of the clinical manifestations of chickenpox in pregnant women is associated with the woman's age and characteristics, usually she has a lot of rashes and general symptoms are expressed. Typical will be fever to extremely high numbers against the background of malaise and weakness, symptoms of intoxication and abdominal pain, mild respiratory manifestations in the form and coughing. After about two days, a profuse itchy rash appears in the form of grouped bubbles throughout the body. Every 4-5 days it is possible to increase the temperature again and a new portion of pimples. Typical for adults will be rashes everywhere except the palms and feet, including the scalp, oral mucosa and genitals. Inside the bubbles are cloudy contents, which, when opened, give crusts that are very itchy and disturbing. But they cannot be torn off and combed, there is a high risk of a secondary infection, which will leave scars during healing.

Chickenpox and pregnancy: risks, prognosis

A woman is more susceptible to chickenpox during pregnancy, weeks at normal conditions due to a decrease in immune protection, and its severity will be more severe. Having suffered chickenpox in childhood, a woman is reliably protected from it during pregnancy, she will not get sick a second time. But in case of doubt whether chicken pox is dangerous for the expectant mother, you can conduct a blood test for the level of antibodies to chicken pox - it will show the presence or absence of immunity. Antibodies present in the blood protect the fetus and mother from infection, and they are also formed in a woman when vaccinated against chickenpox before conception.

About 5% of women are not immune to chickenpox, and contact with sick children and adults is extremely dangerous for them. If infection has occurred, no matter what trimester of pregnancy is, this is not an indication for termination of pregnancy, they are quite compatible with right approach to therapy.

However, the risks of dangerous complications and poor prognosis for the fetus and mother, complications vary by gestational age.

Features of infection at different times

Depending on at what stage of pregnancy the infection occurred, the degree of risk to the mother and fetus varies greatly:

When infected a couple of weeks before birth, the child develops neonatal chickenpox. In fact, this is the course of ordinary chickenpox, but with a large number of rashes, a serious condition and serious skin lesions, the risk of damage to the brain, liver and lungs. Often, children can die due to complicated and severe chickenpox.

Methods for diagnosing chickenpox during pregnancy

The basis of diagnosis is a conversation with the patient and her examination, as well as indications of contact with chickenpox patients. Particular attention should be paid to women with early gestational age, they undergo an ultrasound outside the plan and determine the condition of the fetus, its viability and possible defects.

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In doubtful cases, shown amniocentesis- research fence amniotic fluid and genetic research. In doubtful situations, it can be shown cordocentesis- blood sampling from the umbilical cord of the fetus to confirm defects.

It is important to know that chickenpox infection is not a contraindication to prolonging pregnancy, you do not need to immediately have an abortion, the risks of an adverse outcome are not so great.

How is chickenpox treated during pregnancy

In fact, the principles of treating chickenpox during pregnancy are no different from those in the treatment of children. Treatment of skin with rashes is carried out at the expense of antiseptic, antipruritic and regenerating drugs. Recommended aniline dyes (fukortsin, Zelenka or methylene blue) or Calamine lotion, bathing daily without soap and washcloths under the shower in warm water. Against the background of fever, bed rest and plenty of fluids, food according to appetite, and vitamins are indicated.

If there are few rashes, the general condition does not suffer dramatically, you can not use specific drugs. You can limit yourself to local and non-specific therapy.

If the condition is severe during the second or third trimester, it is acceptable to take Acyclovir according to the scheme, for the first trimester, it is indicated only in very severe, life-threatening conditions. The drug is used in tablets (after the 2nd trimester) or intravenously and intramuscularly in severe cases and inpatient treatment. The duration of therapy in the first trimester is not more than 5 stocks, from the second trimester, treatment up to 10 days is acceptable.

Chickenpox before childbirth: tactics of doctors

The most serious problem is infection with chickenpox before childbirth. In this case, the woman is placed in the infectious box of the observational department of the maternity hospital and they will try to slow down the delivery time for at least a week. This is important because after 5-6 days from the onset of rashes, antibodies to chickenpox are formed on the skin, which are transmitted through the umbilical cord to the fetus and protect it from infection during childbirth.

If labor does not stop, after birth, the child needs the introduction of specific immunoglobulins that suppress the activity of the virus. If a woman has rashes densely located in the genital area and mucous membranes, the question arises of delivery by caesarean section.

Immediately after giving birth, the woman is isolated for two weeks, and the baby is observed all this time, noting signs of infection. If the crumbs develop signs of infection, he is immediately prescribed antiviral drugs intravenously or intramuscularly, chickenpox at this age is extremely dangerous.

Features of complications of gestational chickenpox in the mother and fetus

Usually, pregnant women tolerate chickenpox safely, complications are rare and usually in the form of secondary infections of skin elements or pneumonia, encephalitis. Such complications are now prevented by treatment with acyclovir.

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Chickenpox is much more dangerous for a child, about 5% of children from mothers who had chickenpox during the gestation period are born with fetal chickenpox syndrome, and if a woman becomes infected before childbirth, within 10 days or less, the child will develop neonatal chickenpox during childbirth. type.

Fetal syndrome with chickenpox will manifest itself:

A quarter of children born with a similar syndrome die immediately after birth, most also die during the first months.

Especially dangerous is chickenpox that occurs immediately after childbirth.- neonatal due to the immaturity of immunity and the absence of antibodies. Up to 30% of children die from necrotic lesions of the brain and organs, up to 50% have irreversible complications of internal organs. But, if the mother is infected earlier than 3 weeks before the birth, there is no longer any danger, the child will receive antibodies against chickenpox produced by the mother's body and will carry the infection latently or in a mild form.

Prevention of chickenpox during pregnancy: planned and emergency measures

If there is no accurate data on the chickenpox transferred in childhood, during the planning period for pregnancy, you need to donate blood for antibodies to it. If they are not, it is worth vaccinating at least three months before conception. It is impossible to be vaccinated during pregnancy - this is due to the fact that a live attenuated virus is introduced in the vaccine. If, against the background of conception, vaccination was carried out out of ignorance, then this is not an indicator for abortion. The vaccine is well tolerated, usually there are only minor ailments and a slight rash on the skin (not always).

If there was contact of a healthy woman with a sick chickenpox, emergency vaccination can be carried out up to three days (up to 96 hours) from the moment of contact. This is achieved by the introduction of immunoglobulin in the form of Varicellon or Varitent intramuscularly. In terms of infection of more than 37 weeks, inhibition of the birth process is carried out for at least 1-2 weeks.

The incidence of chickenpox worldwide is growing steadily. This is due to the modification of the living conditions of the planet's population, the wrong way of life and a decrease in the immune system. Therefore, chickenpox during pregnancy has become common today. Women in position are most susceptible to viral infections, and chickenpox in certain cases poses a serious danger to both the pregnant woman and the fetus. In the article, we will reveal not only the danger of this disease for pregnant women and the fetus, but also talk about the rules of treatment, and also provide a list possible consequences chickenpox at different stages of pregnancy.

Chickenpox occurs in three stages:

The incubation period is from the minute of infection to the onset of external symptoms. In sick women under the age of thirty, it traditionally averages about two weeks. At the age of over thirty years, the stage is up to three weeks.
Prodromal stage - occurs one to two days before the actual manifestation of the first nodules (papules) of the rash.
The rash stage is the beginning of the active mass spread of the chicken rash. The duration of this stage is from seven to ten days.

Primary chickenpox infection and pregnancy

If a pregnant woman gets chickenpox for the first time, then the infection poses a real danger to both mother and baby. Because there is no immunity, and the infection enters the fetus through the bloodstream causing various disorders in the development of the baby, namely:

termination of pregnancy, as well as missed pregnancy;
development of fetal defects;
the birth of premature, and therefore underweight children.

Secondary chickenpox infection during pregnancy

If the infection is chronic, that is, a woman has previously had this virus, then the likelihood of the formation of defects in babies is extremely rare. But various problems can also arise here if the virus, entering the body, provokes a recurrent form. In this case, it can damage the placenta, which, in turn, is a kind of filter, and if it is damaged, blood flow in the uteroplacental circulation is disturbed, which can also lead to:

to the formation of non-developing pregnancy;
to the formation of fetal malformations is extremely rare, but there are isolated cases in world practice.

What is the danger of chickenpox for pregnant women

For women with chickenpox, the danger is that it can be quite difficult to treat them, since pregnancy is a special condition when minimalism in prescribing medications is welcomed. The fewer drugs, the better for pregnant women and for the baby.

There is no need to be afraid of chicken pox in any case. And when the first symptoms of the disease appear, you should immediately contact obstetrician-gynecologists and try to solve this problem together with the doctor.

There are several types of herpes infections, and scientists speculate that other viruses may cause similar symptoms to chickenpox. To do this, use laboratory tests that confirm which virus has currently caused the disease. Re-infection with chickenpox is unlikely.

General symptoms

Symptoms significantly depend both on the age and on the individual characteristics of the sick woman. If a pregnant woman has chickenpox, then the following symptoms begin to appear:

often begins to hurt the stomach;
body temperature rises;
there is a general malaise;
after 2 days, a rash begins to appear in the form of red vesicles filled with a cloudy liquid;
rashes appear sporadically;
episodes recur every 3 to 5 days.

The symptoms of chickenpox in pregnant women are similar to those of childhood chickenpox, only the number of rashes is much greater. The disease is accompanied by severe intoxication. The rash begins to develop later than with chickenpox in children. Blisters always appear with purulent contents.

Rules for the treatment of chickenpox during pregnancy

Treatment of chickenpox during pregnancy includes drugs to increase immunity, most often this is a group of interferons. Viferon or Kenferon are usually prescribed, as well as a number of other drugs.

It is still advisable to refuse traditional drugs for the treatment of herpes infections, such as acyclovir, famvir and others, during pregnancy, because there are no long-term results in the study of these drugs on the development of the baby's condition.

Recently, in order to prevent the occurrence of congenital herpes infection in babies, women in the third trimester of pregnancy, most often two to three weeks before the baby is born, it is still possible to give a group of antiherpetic drugs that can minimize the appearance of babies with congenital herpetic infection.

At elevated body temperature, pregnant women can use paracetamol, which can pass through the placental barrier. So far, no negative effects on the fetus have been noted. If it is necessary to use the drug during pregnancy, you should carefully weigh the expected benefits of therapy for the pregnant woman and possible risk for the fetus.

With chickenpox in pregnant women, the use of aspirin is deadly. In general, the combination of aspirin and the chickenpox virus is a risk of deadly liver damage.

The consequences of chickenpox at different stages of pregnancy

Is chickenpox dangerous for pregnant women, in general terms, was discussed above. Now let's talk about the specific consequences of chickenpox during pregnancy. Recall that if at a young age a woman has already had chicken pox, then it is unlikely to get sick again. The necessary antibodies are already present in the blood, which reliably protect her and the unborn baby.

But if infection did occur, this can lead to the formation of malformations in the fetus, which are modified depending on the specific gestational age:

Chickenpox in early pregnancy (up to 140 days - 20 weeks) - the threat of complications for the fetus is approximately 5%. Usually in such cases, congenital chickenpox syndrome is detected. It shows effects such as:
violation of the most important functions of the cerebral cortex;
paralysis;
limb atrophy;
convulsive state;
scars and scars on the skin.
When chickenpox occurs during pregnancy after 140 days, the risk is reduced to 2%. In this case it is necessary:
perform an ultrasound;
perform an amniocentesis;
undergo cordocentesis.
If chickenpox in pregnant women occurred 1-2 weeks before delivery, then neonatal chickenpox is formed in the baby. This pathological condition is very dangerous for its complications, the consequences of which are:
- encephalitis;
- inflammatory diseases of the liver;
- inflammatory diseases of the upper respiratory tract.

Summing up, it is worth noting that chickenpox in pregnant women often causes complications. Therefore, if a woman is planning a pregnancy, and she did not have chickenpox, she needs to be vaccinated in advance and then the risk of complications and infection will be reduced to a minimum. Immunity from vaccination lasts for about 20 years. After suffering chicken pox, a stable protective mechanism is formed.