ERBIL POLYTHECNIC UNIVERSITY

SORAN TECHNICAL INSITITUTE

MIDWIFERY DIPARTMENT

FIRST STAGE(M)

(RESPIRATORY INFECTION DURING PREGNANCY )

PREPARED BY :Narmin Salh Muhammad

SUPERVISOR :Magrum Esmail Snyar

2019-2020
CONTENT

Definition and introduction …………………………………………………...3

Infection and pregnancy ………………………………………………………4

What if I'm exposed to a respiratory viral infection when I'm pregnant? ……..4

Kinds of Upper Respiratory Tract Infections ……………………………….....5

When to Seek Medical Help? ………………………………………………….5

Causes of Respiratory Infection during Pregnancy ………………………...….6

Symptoms …………………………………………………………………..….7

Is RSV contagious ………………………………………………………..……7

How to prevent spreading RSV? ………………………………………………8

General medicine use during pregnancy …………..………………………..….9

Diagnosis …………………………………...……………………………….…9

Treatments ……………………………………………………………………..9

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Definition and introduction

In pregnant and nonpregnant patients the clinical characteristics, diagnosis , and treatment of
respiratory infection are usually identical. However, certain additional considerations,
including changes in vulnerability to infection, changes in maternal physiology and the
impact of the infection and its treatment on the fetus, need to be addressed in pregnancy. This
subject analysis will address concerns that are unique to respiratory infections in the
pregnancy environment. Medical symptoms, diagnosis , and treatment of respiratory
infections are discussed separately in the general population (see person subject reports on
common cold, influenza, sinusitis, pneumonia, etc.). In small children and babies, the
respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) normally infects the breathing passages and lungs. RSV can
affect adults too. If they have an impaired immune system, adults have typically the
immunity to fend off RSV. However, young children and infants have not yet built up enough
immunity so the condition can worsen and lead to other illnesses.

In the life of a woman, pregnancy is a delicate period. Any disease she catches would have a

significant impact on the fetus on her womb particularly during the first trimester when most
organs grow.

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As anyone else, an expectant mother is very vulnerable to the most common respiratory
infections of the disease. It can be categorized into Upper Air Tract Infection (URTI) or
Lower Air Tract Infection (LRTI), which is more difficult because it may include the lungs.

Infection and pregnancy

Pregnant women are usually more vulnerable to viral infections, such as influenza (the flu),
due to immunological changes during pregnancy to allow for fetal tolerance. Maternal flu
infection is associated with an increased risk of premature abortion, fetal death, preterm birth,
and low birthweight babies, in addition to maternal complications, including hospitalization,
cardiorespiratory complications, and death. The American Congress of Obstetricians and
Gynecologists (ACOG) therefore recommends inactivated influenza virus vaccination for all
women who may be pregnant or postpartum during influenza season. However, little
documentation has been provided on the occurrence and effects of maternal RSV infection on
mother or child during pregnancy. RSV has only recently been identified as a primary pathogen
in elderly and immunocompromised adult respiratory infections; the reported incidence of the
disease was close to that of nonpandemic influenza. RSV is an unusual cause of respiratory
problems during pregnancy, and it is likely that RSV is a significant, but unrecognized,
pathogen during pregnancy. Here's a study of 3 pregnant RSV cases.

What if I'm exposed to a respiratory viral infection when I'm pregnant?

Pregnant women may be at work and at home exposed to individuals with viral infections.
Normally, the infected person is a boy. Most of the time, the woman doesn't get infected.
Even if she does, most viruses won't hurt her baby. Some viruses may however cause baby
miscarriage or birth defects. If, when you are pregnant, you are exposed to chickenpox, fifth
disease, cytomegalovirus or rubella, you can inform your doctor immediately. Your doctor
may want to know the amount of contact you have had with the person who has been
contaminated.

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Here are some questions your doctor may ask you:

• Did you hold or kiss the child?

• How long were you in contact with the child?

• When did the child get sick?

• Did a doctor diagnose the child's illness? Were any tests done?

Kinds of Upper Respiratory Tract Infections

Not the only virus that can damage the upper respiratory tract is common cold. Any other upper
respiratory infections that are viral include:

• Influenza flu
• Varicella
• Disease fifth
• Tummygalovirus
• Rubella

Fortunately, during pregnancy, most women don't have to contend with many of those diseases.
The most frequent upper respiratory tract diseases were a cough or flu.

Many people also believe the same is true for cold and flu. But it isn't real. While both are
upper respiratory tract infections and do resemble each other, you should know some subtle
differences.

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When to Seek Medical Help?

Most incidents of cold and flu are time-bound and pass without much complications. But in
some cases calling your doctor may be necessary. Consult your doctor if:

• You are developing abdominal cramps which refuse to leave.

• Diarrhea and vomiting occur in you.
• Vaginal bleeding is suffered by you
• It rockets the fever past 100.4 ° F.
• Chest pressure and shortness of breath develop.
• The effects continue after a week.

Causes of Respiratory Infection during Pregnancy

There are two main reasons or causes of respiratory tract infection in pregnant women.

They are the following:

• The capacity of microorganisms to cause disease. Common causative agents include

flu viruses , bacteria and other microorganisms that are common. To cause infection,
these agents should exceed a certain amount.
• Human vulnerability. Note millions of microorganisms during pregnancy are causes of
respiratory infection. Our immune system is the only explanation why we are still in a
state of equilibrium. These pathogens would then flourish if our defense mechanisms
go down. The following are the respiratory infections and their corresponding times of
incubation:
▪ 1-5 days of thinoviruses;
▪ Streptococci party A 1-5 days;
▪ 1-4 days for influenza and parainfluenza viruses;
▪ Syncytial Respiratory Virus (RSV), 7 days;
▪ 7-21 days of whoping cough (pertussis);

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 ▪ 1-10 days of diphtheria, and
▪ Epstein-Barr (EBV) virus, 4-6 weeks.

Symptoms:

In children and adults, the symptoms of RSV are generally very similar to cold symptoms.
Children can have a runny nose, sneezing, coughing and losing appetite. Respiratory
infection signs include:

• cough, cough,
• sneezing,
• nasal discharge,
• nasal congestion,
• Running nose,
• Fever,
• Scratchy or painful throat, and
• A nasal respiration.

Is RSV contagious?
RSV is transferred by body fluids from one human to another, usually from the mouth and
nose. The virus lives outside of the body on surfaces, so a child can sneeze on a toy, and
touching the toy can infect another child. Most children are estimated to be infected with RSV
before turning 2 but some instances may not be diagnosed with RSV.

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How to prevent spreading RSV?
They should not be allowed to come into contact with other children if a child is diagnosed
with RSV. Clean your hands any time you come into touch with your child and teach your
child, if possible, to sneeze into tissues. In order to improve immunity, children who fall into
the high-risk group for an RSV infection may be given monthly injections of a weakened
form of the virus. Injections offer short-term security only, so kids will be forced to take
injections each year until they are no longer in the high-risk group. For pregnant women, the
H1N1 virus mimics the common cold and flu virus, but may prove lethal. That is why, it is
important to keep an eye on your upper respiratory tract infections. Serious cases of upper
respiratory tract infections may cause premature birth, lower birth weights, cesarean delivery,
etc.

You should opt for the flu vaccine if you want to prevent these complications. You should also
try the H1N1 vaccine to immune the body from swine flu. Many pregnant women in fear of
damaging their babies are wary of attempting these vaccinations. Don't be afraid! Studies
indicate that no adverse pregnancy fallout is caused by flu vaccines, including the H1N1
vaccine.

Some other methods you can use to prevent upper respiratory tract infections can
comprise the following:

• Clean your hands regularly.

Avoiding noisy areas.

• Keeping your house tidy and free of dust.

• Prohibits smoking and pollen exposure.

• Bring a hand sanitizer while you're travelling.

Do not rub your eyes, as the tear ducts will pass the virus into your nasal cavity.

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General medicine use during pregnancy

You should take a normal prenatal vitamin. Some women take vitamin that is over-the-
counter (OTC), and others take a prescription vitamin.

The following OTC pharmaceutical products are usually considered safe to use during
pregnancy. Although these suggested medicines are permissible, you should tell your doctor
over a long period of time about any medicines you believe you may need.

Diagnosis

In many cases, particularly in adults, unless there are frequent, serious, or worrisome
symptoms, upper respiratory infections do not require a doctor's diagnosis. Typically a
diagnosis of an upper respiratory infection isn't difficult. Typically your doctor will ask you
about your symptoms and other health history questions, such as when your symptoms began
and what could make you feel better or worse.

Your doctor will conduct a physical exam in which she will look at your ears and at the back
of your mouth. If strep throat is suspected, a rapid strep test will be obtained, or a throat culture .
This would include swabbing the throat back and checking it for strep bacteria afterwards.
Cultures from the nasal passageways may sometimes be taken and tested for a bacterial
infection. This is normally done, however, only with the detection of a nasopharyngeal swab
used for the flu and other infections (often carried out in emergency care).

Treatments
Most RSV cases are mild enough to wip out the virus by the normal immune response. If a
child is infected and the conditions worsens, hospitalization may be suggested. There are no
drugs to treat the virus directly, but the child should be checked for fever and other symptoms
in the hospital and obtain fluids to avoid dehydration.

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Home treatments for RSV include medication which reduces counterfever. Aspirin drugs
should be avoided but children can develop Reye syndrome from taking aspirin-based
medicines. In the nose, mucus can accumulate. To remove excess mucus build-up, blowing or
nasal aspiration may be needed.

Tips for Treating an Upper Respiratory Infection

• Use a humidifier

• Try decongestants and throat lozenges

• Drink plenty of fluids

• Take over-the-counter pain relievers

• Stay home and rest

• Keep your head elevated

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Reference

1. Definition of "infection" from several medical dictionaries – Retrieved on 2012-04-03

2. "Infectious Disease, Internal Medicine". Association of American Medical Colleges.
3. Alberto Signore (2013). "About inflammation and infection"
4. "Infection". Rencare. Archived from the original on March 5, 2012. Retrieved 4
July 2013.
5. Seventer JM, Hochberg NS (October 2016). "Principles of Infectious Diseases:
Transmission, Diagnosis, Prevention, and Control". International Encyclopedia of
Public Health.

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