How does measles affect the 30th week of pregnancy. Measles during pregnancy: possible consequences, danger, methods of treatment. The effect of measles on a pregnant woman

The gestation period is milestone in the life of every woman. In this position, the expectant mother tries to protect herself and her fetal baby from various diseases and infections. But sometimes she has to deal with unpleasant and dangerous diseases. One of these ailments can be measles during pregnancy, which poses a threat not only to the health of a woman, but also to her unborn baby.

A pregnant woman can only get measles if she comes into contact with someone who is already infected. Such a virus is transmitted from a sick subject by airborne droplets.

The virus itself is not resistant to the environment external environment. Therefore, the risk of infection increases when the sick and the pregnant woman are together in the same room. small room which is not ventilated at all. At first, an infected person may not represent what is a threat to others, since the incubation period of the disease does not manifest itself in any way. Only a week later, the first signs begin to appear, indicating the presence of the measles virus in the body.

Usually the incubation period lasts from ten to fourteen days. Then the body temperature rises sharply, a cough and runny nose appear, the eyes become sensitive to daylight. These symptoms are very similar to common colds or respiratory infections. A day later inner side cheeks can be covered with white spots, which can gradually spread to the throat, face, neck. Therefore, it is important to do an examination of the oral cavity.

Often the rash occurs behind the auricles, all over the body. After some time, it is converted into pigmentation and at this point the general condition may improve slightly. After another three days, the spots fade and disappear completely. But this does not mean that there was a recovery.

A distinctive feature of measles is that the rashes on the surface of the body gradually merge into continuous foci. And light rashes in oral cavity they look like salt grains.

If a woman was immunized before pregnancy, but at the same time she fell ill with measles for the second time, then the main symptoms proceed in a less pronounced form and the clinical picture looks different. In this case, in order to correctly diagnose and confirm the presence of measles, a blood test is required to detect antibodies.

Clinical manifestation of the disease

A feature of this disease during pregnancy is that in the first days of infection from the body there are no special signs indicating the presence of measles. However, then, after one or two weeks, the disease begins to manifest itself.

During measles, a pregnant woman may experience the following symptoms:

• high temperature rises;
• headache regularly;
• can torment a debilitating cough;
• nasal congestion occurs or mucus with impurities of pus is released from it;
• an inflammatory process develops in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe eyes and mouth;
• rashes can be seen on the body and on the face;
• small white spots formed in the oral cavity.

It is worth noting that the skin rash always first appears in the upper body, and gradually spreads to the lower extremities. Then the affected areas begin to peel off and eventually disappear. At the same time, a woman may experience a lack of appetite and too rapid fatigue. The intestines falter, the stool becomes liquid and frequent. During such a period, the expectant mother does not tolerate bright light, her voice sits down and conjunctivitis may develop.

In addition to all the signs described during measles, a pregnant woman is faced with sleep disorders, she may be disturbed by insomnia. Sometimes painful cramps are felt in the abdomen.

Attention! In order not to face possible complications and consequences in the future, you should be more attentive to the manifestation of the disease and, at the first symptoms, immediately consult a doctor.

Dangers for the unborn baby

Measles during pregnancy is a serious consequence for the unborn baby, after which there may be a miscarriage or intrauterine fetal death. With complications, the presence of such a disease in the body of a pregnant woman leads to the development of defects in the important internal systems of the child: the lungs are deformed, the functioning of the heart muscle fails. At the same time, even a pre-made ultrasound examination and laboratory tests performed in the first trimesters will not be able to detect damage to the fetus.

measles activation on early dates gestation increases the likelihood of developing dementia and mental retardation. Suffering respiratory system which can lead to severe inflammation and lethal outcome fetus.

In the later stages, the disease can provoke early birth, and the baby becomes infected from his mother through the birth canal. As a result, characteristic rashes appear on his skin and mucous membranes. Since the child's immunity is still weakened, encephalitis and pneumonia can develop against this background.

Measles, transferred before the birth itself, does not pose a threat only to the unborn baby, since its vital systems and main organs have already been finally formed.

In some cases, measles in a pregnant woman ends in spontaneous abortion, the development of defects in the baby, or premature birth.

It usually depends on other, auxiliary factors:

• the nature of the rash;
• forms of measles;
• the duration and course of the disease;
• severity of symptoms.

It is on this that it will depend on how great the threat to the fetus or the expectant mother is, and whether it is necessary to have an abortion. Medical termination of pregnancy is rare. If this viral disease was transferred in the last stages and almost before the birth itself, then the baby is born with an acquired measles infection, which can be successfully treated.

As for early pregnancy, in this case, the doctor may recommend an abortion, as the woman risks facing the following consequences:

• the birth of a dead child;
• miscarriage;
• premature birth;
• frozen pregnancy.

Stages of treatment

The correct and comprehensive treatment of measles during pregnancy can only be prescribed by a specialist. The initial goal of such therapy is to relieve symptoms. All treatment is carried out only under the supervision of a doctor and taking into account all his recommendations.

Usually, with such a disease, therapy consists of the following steps:

• strict bed rest and inpatient treatment are prescribed;
• drinking plenty of water is recommended, at least 2.5 liters of water without gas per day;
• during the first week, intramuscular injections of immunoglobulin are made;
• inhalations and rinsing of the oral cavity are prescribed;
• high temperature is knocked down by antipyretics, but in a dosage strictly calculated by a specialist;
• the intake of mineral complexes containing such vitamin elements as C and A is mandatory;
• to eliminate the allergic reaction of the body, antihistamines are prescribed on a plant basis;
• it is recommended to follow a special diet, due to which the gastric and intestinal tracts do not experience additional stress;
• daily wet cleaning is carried out and regular airing is observed in the room where the infected pregnant woman spends most of her time;
• with the development of bacterial pneumonia, general treatment the intake of antimicrobial drugs is connected.

Special attention is paid to nutrition. The diet should include as many fruits and vegetables as possible, low-fat broths based on cereals, and a small amount of lean meat. All products are best baked, stewed, steamed. The menu can include meatballs and steam cutlets, fish and meat soufflé, cottage cheese with berries, kefir, cereals and natural yoghurts.

In order not to additionally irritate the affected oral mucosa, refuse spicy, sour and too salty dishes. Canned food, smoked meats and fatty foods are also banned. All food consumed should not be hot, but warm.

If measles infection was detected immediately, then a passive immunization can give a good result. In this case, serum globulin in a very small dose is introduced into the body of a pregnant woman. But this is done only during the first five days from the moment of infection itself.

Vaccination and measles prevention

Measles can be prevented by first having a blood test to determine the antibodies present in the body. To protect your body and strengthen the immune system, you need to take special vitamin complexes.

There is also a measles vaccination, but it is recommended only during pregnancy planning. Vaccination already during pregnancy is not recommended at all, as it can have a negative effect on the fetus.

If a woman is planning a pregnancy and at the same time has encountered measles, then it is necessary to conceive a child after treatment (at least a month later).

If, during pregnancy, infection nevertheless occurred and the first signs indicating the presence of this virus appeared, then you should immediately consult a doctor. Waiting in such a situation or self-treatment can lead to the most serious consequences and complications. The specialist will be able to choose a comprehensive treatment and take all measures to successfully cope with such a disease.

So, yesterday we started talking about childhood infections that expectant mothers can develop in different dates pregnancy. We touched on rubella and its manifestations during pregnancy, and also began a discussion of the consequences of rubella. Let's continue the discussion and also talk about other types of childhood infections in pregnant women.

What about rubella?

As we already found out yesterday, rubella during pregnancy is dangerous in terms of the formation of congenital malformations and miscarriages. In the early stages, with a disease before the 10-12th week of pregnancy, doctors will offer the woman an abortion, since the risk of fetal lesions with severe deformities is very high. In terms of more than 14 weeks, if a woman who has not previously had rubella has become infected, the issue of pregnancy is resolved with her participation and a council of doctors in individually. Doctors take into account the opinion of the woman herself, signs of threats to the development of pregnancy, ultrasound data with the presence of problems in the development of the fetus, signs of placental insufficiency or infection, in combination with oligohydramnios or polyhydramnios.

Also, for the final decision on pregnancy, it is necessary to conduct laboratory methods examinations with the detection of viruses in the blood or the level of specific anti-rubella antibodies in the serum. If a severe malformation is detected, there are signs of infection of the placenta, and a sufficiently strong delay in the development of the fetus in utero is detected, the question of terminating the pregnancy at any time is raised, if the pregnant woman herself agrees to this.

How to be safe?

How to protect yourself from rubella during pregnancy, if a woman did not have rubella in childhood, how to prevent the risk of infection during pregnancy to exclude Negative consequences viral infection on health? Usually, in the context of pregnancy planning, women who have not had rubella or do not remember this fact are offered to undergo a blood test for rubella antibodies, and if there is no immunity, get vaccinated against rubella three months before pregnancy planning.

This is the period necessary to fully create immunity and fully guarantee the safety of vaccination. Many worry about the possibility of harm to the fetus by a vaccine virus that is weakened and "tamed", and the three months before planning are also dictated by the elimination of this fear. Although data on the safety of the vaccine even during pregnancy showed its complete safety for the woman and the fetus. If suddenly you are vaccinated and find out that you are pregnant, you do not need to terminate the pregnancy, since the fetus will not be affected by the vaccine.

Vaccination for women is not carried out when the child's card contains indications of the transferred rubella, according to the mother or simply from her own memories, the fact of rubella will be in doubt. In such doubtful cases, it is worthwhile to conduct a special blood test for the presence of antibodies to rubella - it is this that will put an end to the question - whether or not there was rubella. If there are no antibodies, you need to get vaccinated (if you don’t mind) or during pregnancy avoid children’s groups and crowded places where you can catch the virus. During pregnancy, rubella vaccination is not carried out, since the viruses are alive and the woman's immunity is physiologically changed.

Why is it dangerous to get rubella during pregnancy?

If a pregnancy with rubella persists or a woman carries the disease to late dates, this can cause an increased risk of complications during and after childbirth, mainly bleeding, purulent or septic complications, problems with labor, fetal asphyxia during childbirth. In addition, due to the characteristics of the immune system of the mother and fetus, the born baby will become a carrier of the rubella virus at birth and a source of danger to other children. He is placed in a separate boxed isolated room, in the observational department, and is examined very carefully and in detail, completely excluding all malformations and developmental problems. He is examined by a neonatologist, a neurologist, an ophthalmologist and an infectious disease specialist.

If future mother measles?

Pregnant women can develop not only rubella, but also other infections of the "children's" group. These include measles, an acute and highly contagious childhood infection that can spread rapidly to unvaccinated people. If a pregnant woman has not been vaccinated against measles, and she did not have measles in childhood, when in contact with a measles patient, the probability of acquiring her is almost 100%, since this is an extremely contagious disease. The measles virus is highly volatile, it can be carried by the wind, transmitted by airborne droplets, from sick to healthy people. On average, about ten days pass from the moment of contact with a measles patient to its first manifestations.

One of the initial manifestations is a sharp and strong increase in temperature - sometimes it reaches 39-40 degrees, a strong cough and runny nose appear, the mucous membranes of the eyes turn red and lacrimation occurs, appetite is severely disturbed. This malaise lasts for several days, and on the fourth day from the onset of manifestations, typical signs of enanthema (rashes in the mouth area) appear - these are small, similar to semolina spots that come out on the cheeks, the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe palate - soft and hard.

A few hours later, or usually a day later, a typical rash appears, starting from the face and ear area, gradually sliding down to the whole body. The rash usually looks like red small spots of different sizes, with a tendency to merge. As the rash disappears from the body, areas of pigmentation change appear - dark spots that persist for several days. These spots gradually disappear in the same way as the rash itself disappeared.

How to confirm the diagnosis of measles?

Usually, the diagnosis is confirmed by detecting a typical measles clinic with rashes on the mucous membranes of the mouth and on the body, and also confirming it by detecting special anti-measles antibodies in the blood serum. However, based on the fact that measles seems to have been ill in childhood, one should not rely on it to be some other infection - the blood must be examined, since errors are possible both earlier in the diagnosis and now.

What to do with measles?

If the measles virus has got to a pregnant woman, she is very likely to get sick, since her susceptibility to infections increases, and the body's immune forces are physiologically reduced due to the bearing of the baby. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out active prevention of any infections. But if infection has occurred and measles has developed, there are no specific anti-measles drugs, only a complex of conventional antiviral therapies is used. You should not self-medicate, call a doctor immediately, and sometimes with severe measles during pregnancy, hospitalization in the infectious diseases department of a hospital is necessary. It is important to actively and quickly treat a viral infection, since in adulthood measles is quite difficult and for the most part complicated, and even more difficult during pregnancy.

Why is measles so dangerous for pregnant women?

If a woman becomes infected with the measles virus during pregnancy, the risk of spontaneous miscarriages can increase sharply, as well as in the later stages - by triggering the mechanism of premature birth, when the baby is completely unprepared for extrauterine life. Although scientists say that due to its size, the measles virus cannot cross the placenta, so far there is no clear and proven evidence of the absence negative impact virus on the fetus and on the membranes of the fetus. Today, the risk of congenital malformations of the fetus is quite likely, especially if measles occurs in its development in the first and second trimesters of pregnancy. Therefore, this disease is potentially dangerous at any stage of pregnancy and there is no absolute guarantee that it will not give consequences. And given the complications in the form of pneumonia and encephalitis, it can end in a very deplorable way. Therefore, remember to be safe, especially if you have children who have not been vaccinated against measles.

In cases where measles occurs in a pregnant woman in the later stages, almost already before childbirth, the baby can also be born with signs of congenital measles - he will have a characteristic rash in the mucous membranes of the mouth and on the skin. And all other complications of measles are also possible, especially pneumonia and encephalitis, since the baby's immunity is still extremely weak. In such extreme cases, the mother and child are placed in the observational department and the closed boxed ward of the maternity hospital, they are prescribed to stay together breast-feeding to baby with breast milk received part of maternal antibodies. If the baby is born without signs of infection, he is isolated from the sick mother for the entire duration of her illness, and fed with expressed milk or formula.

Any pregnant woman who has been in contact with children or adults with measles, and if she herself has not been ill with measles and has not been vaccinated against it in time, is shown to administer anti-measles immunoglobulins into the muscle for prophylactic purposes during the first three days of contact. If a woman is just planning a pregnancy, and she did not have measles in childhood, it is recommended that she be immunized against measles together with rubella at least three months before the planned pregnancy. But it is impossible to vaccinate a pregnant woman against measles, since her vaccine is live, although weakened.

IN Lately measles infection during pregnancy a rare event And all thanks to mass vaccination. Recently, however, a measles epidemic has stirred up Romania, cases of the disease have also been identified in Ukraine. In 2015, measles outbreaks were observed in the US and some other Western countries.

Measles is a highly contagious disease, which means that contact with a sick person is very likely to cause infection. The onset of measles resembles a common viral infection: fever, runny nose, cough, often conjunctivitis, lacrimation. A few days after the onset of the first symptoms, a rash occurs, first on the head and face, then spreading throughout the body.

The World Health Organization notes that measles is a severe disease that can cause complications such as blindness, encephalitis, pneumonia, and ear infections.

Of course, unvaccinated children are most at risk of contracting measles. early age. However, pregnant women who have not previously had measles and have not been vaccinated are also at risk if this disease occurs.

Measles vaccination and pregnancy.

Fortunately, most young women were vaccinated against measles as children. It is known that a two-time vaccination with a live vaccine reliably protects against the disease.

If a woman is planning a pregnancy and does not have immunity to the measles virus, then vaccination is highly desirable, but you need to be vaccinated at least a month before conception. Measles vaccination during pregnancy is contraindicated because it contains a live virus that can adversely affect the unborn baby.

If you are pregnant and your older child is to be vaccinated against measles, then this is quite safe, since after vaccination a person is not contagious even if symptoms of infection develop.

Measles during pregnancy: consequences.

Due to recent events, as well as the fact that anti-vaccination propaganda is actively being carried out today, especially suspicious expectant mothers are seriously concerned about the consequences of measles during pregnancy.

Moreover, most Internet resources, as well as many old textbooks, contain information that measles in the first trimester can lead to miscarriage or fetal malformations, and later to premature birth and growth retardation of the child.

In articles on sites for pregnant women, you can even find evidence that measles can be an indication for abortion. However, recent statistics show that the measles virus is not dangerous to the fetus and does not affect the incidence of malformations in the child.

Of course, if a mother gets measles during pregnancy, there is a possibility of transmitting the virus to the fetus, but it is impossible to accurately determine its percentage due to the fact that cases of measles infection in pregnant women are rare. However, the risk of negative consequences of measles during pregnancy still exists.

First of all, measles is dangerous for the woman herself, as it can lead to eye damage, pneumonia and other complications. In addition, if measles is severe, the woman's body may be too weak to bear the child and the pregnancy will be interrupted (miscarriage or premature birth).

To avoid the consequences of measles during pregnancy, you need to consult a doctor for any alarming symptoms. Also urgent appeal for medical care necessary if someone in your environment has measles.

In order to prevent complications, a pregnant woman is recommended to administer antibodies within 6-7 days after contact with the sick person. Such a measure in most cases helps to prevent the disease.

If a pregnant woman does become ill, timely contact with a doctor and treatment will reduce the risk of complications.

There is no specific treatment for the measles virus. Good nutrition, drinking enough fluids, including oral dehydration solutions, are essential.

Prescribing vitamin A can prevent complications from measles, but pregnant women should not take large doses of this vitamin. The decision to prescribe vitamin A or other medications is made by the doctor.

It is important to know that measles causes a significant decrease in immunity, so against its background it is easy to get sick with other infections. In this regard, during the illness and a few weeks after recovery, it is recommended to sharply limit contact with other people.

If a woman falls ill with measles when planning a pregnancy, then it is advisable not to become pregnant within a month after complete recovery.

Testing for measles during pregnancy.

The measles virus can be detected in the discharge from the nasopharynx by laboratory methods. However, testing for measles during pregnancy is not always prescribed, as the diagnosis is usually made by clinical symptoms, which are quite pronounced.

In doubtful cases or if there was contact with a sick person, and the woman does not know if she has immunity, it is recommended to be tested for antibodies to the measles virus IgM and IgG. During the initial infection, both groups of antibodies will be positive.

If only IgG is positive, then the woman had measles or was vaccinated. In this case, you can not be afraid of re-infection with measles, antibodies reliably protect the woman and the child during pregnancy.

Measles is very dangerous during pregnancy. Measles is a highly contagious disease that mainly affects children. The peak incidence is in the spring.

Diagnosis of measles

• The pathognomonic symptom of measles that occurs at the end incubation period and in the prodromal period - Koplik's spots (small whitish spots on the mucous membrane of the cheeks opposite the molars, similar to grains of table salt). On the mucous membrane of hard and soft palate small bright red spots can be observed - measles enanthema.
• The onset of measles is accompanied by a runny nose, cough, keratoconjunctivitis, and fever.
• Then a confluent maculopapular rash appears.
• The rash first appears on the face, then spreads to the trunk and limbs. The disappearance of the rash occurs in the same order.
• In immunized individuals, measles is mild, with minor catarrhal symptoms, single Koplik spots, and a mild rash.
• Measles virus is detected in sputum and discharge from the nose and nasopharynx using immunofluorescence or cell culture isolation methods.
• With the help of hemagglutination inhibition reactions, neutralization and complement fixation, an increase in the titer of specific antibodies in serum is determined. An increase in antibody titer by 4 or more times is considered diagnostic.

Measles prognosis during pregnancy

• Mother. Spontaneous abortion and premature birth are possible.
• Fetus. The measles virus crosses the placenta, and the baby is usually born with a characteristic rash on the skin and mouth. Data on the risk of birth defects in children whose mothers had measles during pregnancy are conflicting. In most studies, there was no increase in the risk of birth defects.

Measles treatment during pregnancy

• Bed rest, heavy drinking, antipyretic and expectorant drugs, inhalations are prescribed.
• If no more than 6 days have passed since the contact of a pregnant woman with a patient with measles, immunoglobulin is administered for intramuscular injection, 0.5 ml/kg once.
• Secondary bacterial pneumonia is treated with antimicrobial agents.

Prevention of measles during pregnancy

• Immunoglobulin for intramuscular administration (at a dose of 0.25 ml/kg once) is prescribed to pregnant women who are not immune to measles after contact with measles patients, as well as to newborns whose mothers have measles.
• Vaccination for pregnant women is contraindicated. Non-pregnant women who have not had measles before, and who do not have measles antibodies, are immunized with a measles vaccine, 2 doses with an interval of 1 month, at least 30 days before pregnancy.
• If immunization has been carried out for a long time, the woman is revaccinated with measles vaccine (2 doses) before conception.

S. Cohen, E. Goldstein

So, yesterday we started talking about childhood infections that can occur in expectant mothers at different stages of pregnancy. We touched on rubella and its manifestations during pregnancy, and also began a discussion of the consequences of rubella. Let's continue the discussion and also talk about other types of childhood infections in pregnant women.

What about rubella?

As we already found out yesterday, rubella during pregnancy is dangerous in terms of the formation of congenital malformations and miscarriages. In the early stages, with a disease before the 10-12th week of pregnancy, doctors will offer the woman an abortion, since the risk of fetal lesions with severe deformities is very high. In terms of more than 14 weeks, if an infection of a woman who has not previously had rubella has occurred, the issue of pregnancy is resolved with her participation and a consultation of doctors on an individual basis. Doctors take into account the opinion of the woman herself, signs of threats to the development of pregnancy, ultrasound data with the presence of problems in the development of the fetus, signs of placental insufficiency or infection, in combination with oligohydramnios or polyhydramnios.

Also, for the final decision on pregnancy, it is necessary to conduct laboratory examination methods with the detection of viruses in the blood or the level of specific anti-rubella antibodies in the serum. If a severe malformation is detected, there are signs of infection of the placenta, and a sufficiently strong delay in the development of the fetus in utero is detected, the question of terminating the pregnancy at any time is raised, if the pregnant woman herself agrees to this.

How to be safe?

How to protect yourself from rubella during pregnancy, if a woman did not have rubella in childhood, how to prevent the risk of infection during pregnancy to eliminate the negative consequences of a viral infection on health? Usually, in the context of pregnancy planning, women who have not had rubella or do not remember this fact are offered to undergo a blood test for rubella antibodies, and if there is no immunity, get vaccinated against rubella three months before pregnancy planning.

This is the period necessary to fully create immunity and fully guarantee the safety of vaccination. Many worry about the possibility of harm to the fetus by a vaccine virus that is weakened and "tamed", and the three months before planning are also dictated by the elimination of this fear. Although data on the safety of the vaccine even during pregnancy showed its complete safety for the woman and the fetus. If suddenly you are vaccinated and find out that you are pregnant, you do not need to terminate the pregnancy, since the fetus will not be affected by the vaccine.

Vaccination for women is not carried out when the child's card contains indications of the transferred rubella, according to the mother or simply from her own memories, the fact of rubella will be in doubt. In such doubtful cases, it is worthwhile to conduct a special blood test for the presence of antibodies to rubella - it is this that will put an end to the question - whether or not there was rubella. If there are no antibodies, you need to get vaccinated (if you don’t mind) or during pregnancy avoid children’s groups and crowded places where you can catch the virus. During pregnancy, rubella vaccination is not carried out, since the viruses are alive and the woman's immunity is physiologically changed.

Why is it dangerous to get rubella during pregnancy?

If pregnancy with rubella persists or a woman suffers the disease in the later stages, this may increase the risk of complications during and after childbirth, mainly bleeding, purulent or septic complications, problems with labor, fetal asphyxia during childbirth. In addition, due to the characteristics of the immune system of the mother and fetus, the born baby will become a carrier of the rubella virus at birth and a source of danger to other children. He is placed in a separate boxed isolated room, in the observational department, and is examined very carefully and in detail, completely excluding all malformations and developmental problems. He is examined by a neonatologist, a neurologist, an ophthalmologist and an infectious disease specialist.

If the expectant mother has measles?

Pregnant women can develop not only rubella, but also other infections of the "children's" group. These include measles, an acute and highly contagious childhood infection that can spread rapidly to unvaccinated people. If a pregnant woman has not been vaccinated against measles, and she did not have measles in childhood, when in contact with a measles patient, the probability of acquiring her is almost 100%, since this is an extremely contagious disease. The measles virus is highly volatile, it can be carried by the wind, transmitted by airborne droplets, from sick to healthy people. On average, about ten days pass from the moment of contact with a measles patient to its first manifestations.

One of the initial manifestations is a sharp and strong increase in temperature - sometimes it reaches 39-40 degrees, a strong cough and runny nose appear, the mucous membranes of the eyes turn red and lacrimation occurs, appetite is severely disturbed. Such an indisposition lasts for several days, and on the fourth day from the moment the manifestations begin, typical signs of enanthema (rashes in the mouth area) appear - these are small, semolina-like spots that crawl out on the cheeks, the palate area - soft and hard.

A few hours later, or usually a day later, a typical rash appears, starting from the face and ear area, gradually sliding down to the whole body. The rash usually looks like red small spots of different sizes, with a tendency to merge. As the rash disappears from the body, areas of pigmentation change appear - dark spots that persist for several days. These spots gradually disappear in the same way as the rash itself disappeared.

How to confirm the diagnosis of measles?

Usually, the diagnosis is confirmed by detecting a typical measles clinic with rashes on the mucous membranes of the mouth and on the body, and also confirming it by detecting special anti-measles antibodies in the blood serum. However, based on the fact that measles seems to have been ill in childhood, one should not rely on it to be some other infection - the blood must be examined, since errors are possible both earlier in the diagnosis and now.

What to do with measles?

If the measles virus has got to a pregnant woman, she is very likely to get sick, since her susceptibility to infections increases, and the body's immune forces are physiologically reduced due to the bearing of the baby. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out active prevention of any infections. But if infection has occurred and measles has developed, there are no specific anti-measles drugs, only a complex of conventional antiviral therapies is used. You should not self-medicate, call a doctor immediately, and sometimes with severe measles during pregnancy, hospitalization in the infectious diseases department of a hospital is necessary. It is important to actively and quickly treat a viral infection, since in adulthood measles is quite difficult and for the most part complicated, and even more difficult during pregnancy.

Why is measles so dangerous for pregnant women?

If a woman becomes infected with the measles virus during pregnancy, the risk of spontaneous miscarriages can increase sharply, as well as in the later stages - by triggering the mechanism of premature birth, when the baby is completely unprepared for extrauterine life. Although scientists say that due to its size, the measles virus cannot cross the placenta, so far there is no clear and proven data on the absence of a negative effect of the virus on the fetus and on the membranes of the fetus. Today, the risk of congenital malformations of the fetus is quite likely, especially if measles occurs in its development in the first and second trimesters of pregnancy. Therefore, this disease is potentially dangerous at any stage of pregnancy and there is no absolute guarantee that it will not give consequences. And given the complications in the form of pneumonia and encephalitis, it can end in a very deplorable way. Therefore, remember to be safe, especially if you have children who have not been vaccinated against measles.

In cases where measles occurs in a pregnant woman in the later stages, almost already before childbirth, the baby can also be born with signs of congenital measles - he will have a characteristic rash in the mucous membranes of the mouth and on the skin. And all other complications of measles are also possible, especially pneumonia and encephalitis, since the baby's immunity is still extremely weak. In such extreme cases, the mother and child are placed in the observational department and the closed boxed ward of the maternity hospital, they are prescribed to stay together breastfeeding, so that the baby with breast milk receives part of the maternal antibodies. If the baby is born without signs of infection, he is isolated from the sick mother for the entire duration of her illness, and fed with expressed milk or formula.

Any pregnant woman who has been in contact with children or adults with measles, and if she herself has not been ill with measles and has not been vaccinated against it in time, is shown to administer anti-measles immunoglobulins into the muscle for prophylactic purposes during the first three days of contact. If a woman is just planning a pregnancy, and she did not have measles in childhood, it is recommended that she be immunized against measles together with rubella at least three months before the planned pregnancy. But it is impossible to vaccinate a pregnant woman against measles, since her vaccine is live, although weakened.