About Dengue Fever's Effects on Pregnancy

Dengue fever is a viral disease spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which bites during daylight hours. The disease is common in tropic and subtropic regions, and is often confused with malaria. Dengue fever is more common in children, but with the increased rate of adult dengue fever victims, the number of infected pregnant women has also increased.

Identification

General symptoms of dengue fever are the same for everyone: muscle aches, strong headaches, fever and joint pain and a rosy rash on the skin. After the initial set of symptoms, a patient may experience a break in fever, which will often be followed by a second set of symptoms. Additional symptoms may include nausea, vomiting and hemorrhaging. The dengue fever virus has an incubation period of about three to seven days, after which point the symptoms will appear.

Significance

In most cases of dengue fever in pregnant women, no serious harm occurs. Treatment for dengue fever includes monitoring the patient and ensuring proper hydration, as the disease promotes dehydration. Pregnant women with dengue fever should be monitored closely, preferably at a medical institution. Because of their increased sensitivity, pregnant women who contract dengue fever are often prescribed a conservative treatment plan.

Warning

While a milder case of dengue fever is generally not dangerous for pregnant women, the more severe dengue hemorrhagic fever can can kill the unborn baby. Additionally, the effects of dengue hemorrhagic fever can cause risk of bleeding in pregnant patients. Instances of transmission of the virus from the infected mother to the baby have also occurred, but are very rare.

Considerations

The effects of dengue fever on pregnancy have not been researched thoroughly, so comprehensive data is not available. It is advisable for pregnant women to avoid traveling to areas where dengue fever is common, such as the Caribbean, Central America and south-central Asia. If travel is necessary, pregnant women should take measures to reduce the risk of mosquito bites. Women who have already had dengue fever are at a greater risk to contract the disease again, with greater severity.

Prevention/Solution

To avoid being bitten by a dengue fever-carrying mosquito, wear long pants and long sleeves, and stay away from standing water. At night, use mosquito netting around your bed. Be sure to check warnings about chemicals in mosquito repellents, and only wear types that are not dangerous to pregnant women.