Smallpox during pregnancy, it's dangerous?

Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to bacterial infections, viruses, and parasites. This is because physiologically, the pregnant woman's immune system decline. Infections can be bad for the mother and fetus. One frequent concern is the infection of smallpox.

Fetal immune system is newly formed at 12 weeks gestation. At 26 weeks gestational age, fetal immune system is similar to her mother. At birth, the baby still gets antibodies from the mother. Slowly, two months later antibodies in infants decreased. Vulnerable conditions make a pregnant woman had to be extra attention on the health of himself to avoid the infection, one of them smallpox.

Small risk
There have been a pregnant female colleagues who are very worried exposed to smallpox. "Afraid of Nothing with my baby," he said. Smallpox in question is the chicken pox or varicella. The stranger called chickenpox.

Smallpox is caused by the varicella zoster virus (VZV) or also called human herpes virus-3 (HHV-3). These viruses enter the latent viral DNA in living ganglion (ganglion) the back after the primary infection.

Approximately 80-90 percent of adults were infected with smallpox, and thus have immunity. In those never exposed, the virus is not completely lost from the body. The virus hides in certain nerve, and one day could be active again in the form of herpes zoster infection

When the new primary infection occurs during adulthood, the clinical disease arising will be more severe. This includes when it occurs in pregnant women and those with complications of the disease.

Chickenpox infection in the first trimester of pregnancy can cause birth defects such as inflammation in the retina of the eye (korioretinitis), no development of large parts of the brain (cerebral cortex atrophy), an enlarged kidney (hydronephrosis), and abnormalities in bone and skin.

If the infection attacks the pregnancy at age less than 13 weeks, the possibility of birth defects that occurred about 0.2 percent. While the infection occurred in 13-20 weeks gestational age, the infection increased to 0.4 to 2 percent. However, if infection occurs after 20 weeks of gestation, generally do not occur abnormalities. Keep in mind that the incubation period of varicella is less than two weeks.

Vaccine VZIG
If delivery occurs before the incubation period or right at the time of childbirth, the baby will be infected. And can cause defects in the gut and central nervous system, given the antibodies in the mother's body has not been established. Therefore, infants born to be a special immunization shots as a precaution.

Immune substances recommended by the CDC and Prevention 1996 as an act of prevention of smallpox is varicella zoster immunoglobulin (VZIG). The dose is 125 U/10 kg body weight, a maximum of 5 vials for pre or post-infection.

Yet not every pregnant woman needs an injection of vaccine. Simply ask medical history, whether already have had chickenpox or have not. When you've got, of course already have antibodies.

While the mother who has not been exposed to smallpox, a high risk of contracting chicken pox. Moreover, when in the neighborhood where he lived was infected with smallpox outbreak. Mother is a priority to get the vaccine VZIG.

The vaccine can be given to pregnant women before delivery and newborn. The principle VZIG is given within the period of 96 hours after exposure to smallpox infection.

In infants, injections given 5 days before and after birth with VZIG vaccine or zoster immunoglobulin (zig). Giving this vaccine in infants still allow 30-40 percent of infants infected with the virus remains.

In other words, this vaccine can protect 60-70 percent of infected infants from the risk of complications and death. There is also another vaccine, which is varivax live virus vaccine. However, this does not direkomendaskan vaccine for pregnant women.

Avoid direct contact
Another way of prevention, ie avoiding direct contact with those who are sick. Transmission can occur from 48 hours before the first rash until 5 days later. Chicken pox can be transmitted through breathing air, direct contact with liquid rash, and contact with the goods affected by a rash of fluid such as sheets, blankets, and towels.

Papules and vesicles that have not dried also contains a lot of viruses and potentially spread it. Smallpox during pregnancy with the virus in the blood (viremia), can spread through the placenta to the fetus.

Given very susceptible to infection, it is important for pregnant women to maintain their health, among others, by always rnengonsumsi nutritious food.
In case of smallpox infection when pregnant, do not be too worried. Risk of birth defects is not too large, but still must be vigilant. Immediately consult a gynecologist in order to obtain information and appropriate treatment.