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 physical symptoms. 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
- 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 frequently
- If the UTI moves to the kidneys and into the blood stream, it can cause pelvic pain, back pain, vomiting, fever, and early labor.
-
Symptoms of chickenpox infection may include:
- Fever
- Itchy rash
- Weakness
- Chills
- Headache
References
Bacterial vaginosis during pregnancy. American Pregnancy Association website. Available at:
http://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancycomplications/bacterialvaginosis-2.html
. Updated May 2005. Accessed October 4, 2012.
Chorioamnionitis. Cleveland Clinic website. Available at:
http://www.clevelandclinic.org/health/health-info/docs/3800/3857.asp?index=12309
. Accessed October 4, 2012.
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at:
http://www.cdc.gov/cmv/index.html
. Updated July 28, 2010. Accessed October 4, 2012.
Group B Strep (GBS). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at:
http://www.cdc.gov/groupbstrep/index.html
. Updated May 23, 2012. Accessed October 4, 2012.
Listeria and pregnancy. American Pregnancy Association website. Available at:
http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancyhealth/listeria.html
. Updated June 2011. Accessed October 4, 2012.
Pregnancy and fifth disease. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at:
http://www.cdc.gov/parvovirusB19/pregnancy.html
. Updated February 14, 2011. Accessed October 4, 2012.
STDs and pregnancy. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at:
http://www.cdc.gov/std/pregnancy/default.htm
. Updated September 14, 2012. Accessed October 4, 2012.
Toxoplasmosis. American Academy of Family Physicians website. Available at:
http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/diseases-conditions/toxoplasmosis.html
. Updated January 2011. Accessed October 4, 2012.
Urinary tract infection during pregnancy. American Pregnancy Association website. Available at:
http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancycomplications/utiduringpreg.html
. Updated April 2006. Accessed October 4, 2012.
Varicella. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:
http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed
. Updated August 21, 2012. Accessed October 4, 2012.