Recommendations to Avoid Infections during Pregnancy

During pregnancy, some common infections like the common cold or a skin infection usually don’t cause serious problems. But other infections can be dangerous to you, your baby, or both. Some infections can lead to preterm labor and low birth weight babies. Others can cause serious illness, birth defects, and lifelong disabilities, such as hearing loss or learning problems .

Some of the infections that can be dangerous during pregnancy include:

• Bacterial vaginosis
• Group B streptococcus
• Hepatitis
• Sexually transmitted diseases
• Toxoplasmosis
• Infections of the urinary tract
• Yeast infections
• Zika virus

To try to prevent infections:

• Do not eat raw or undercooked meat.
• Do not share food or drinks with other people.
• wash your hands frequently.
• Don’t clean litter boxes. Cats can transmit toxoplasmosis.
• Talk to your health care provider about vaccinations.
• If you have sex during pregnancy, always use a condom.

If you have an infection during pregnancy, talk to your health care provider about the best way to protect yourself and your baby. Only some medications are safe during pregnancy