Dengue is an infection which is passed on by mosquitoes. If you catch dengue when you are pregnant, you may be more likely to develop a severe form of the disease. This usually happens as the immune system during pregnancy is suppressed and you require hospital treatment. There are different levels of severity for dengue, but during pregnancy, most of the women do not develop severe form of dengue.

Cause for Dengue during Pregnancy:

Dengue is a type of viral infection spread by the mosquito Aedes aegypti.

• Dengue is commonly prevalent in the tropical regions, as they thrive well in warm and humid climates.
• These mosquitoes breed in stagnant water. So any type of open drain, pots, cooler and vases with standing or stagnant water are potential sites for breeding.
• There are four strains of the dengue virus present.
• The dengue mosquitoes bite during the daytime only, mostly in the early mornings and late afternoons.

Symptoms of Dengue:

• Body pain and severe headache
• Vomiting and nausea
• Dehydration
• High fever and shivering
• Bleeding gums
• Severe headache and body pain
• Low platelet count
• Loss of taste for food
• Rashes on upper body

Risks to Your Baby from Dengue:

• Preterm birth, which hinders the complete growth of your baby
• Low birth weight
• If you catch dengue hemorrhagic fever, it can be fatal for your baby
• In case fever happens early in pregnancy, miscarriage can happen

Management of Dengue in Pregnancy:

• To prevent dehydration due to vomiting, drink lots of water and fresh juices.
• Pain killers and antibiotics are taken to control fever and joint or muscle ache
• Restrict over the counter medicines, especially aspirin and related drugs, as they are not safe during pregnancy
• Blood pressure and platelet count to be monitored
• In extreme cases infusion of platelets might be required
• In case of excess bleeding, blood transfusion might be required
• Administering oxygen and intravenous fluid

Prevention of Dengue:

• Keep the surroundings hygienic and clean any stagnant water around your home
• Wear light colored and full sleeved clothes to prevent mosquito bites
• Use a mosquito repellent that is safe for pregnant women
• Use mosquito nets at night and spray or coil to ward off mosquitoes
• Try to stay in a cool room, as these mosquitoes prefer warm environments