Home / Health Insurance / Wellness Corner / How to Prevent Infections During and Before Pregnancy( EST READ TIME: 4 minutes )

Tips for Preventing Infections Before and During Pregnancy

Some infections before and during pregnancy potentially can harm you and your developing fetus that can cause serious sickness or birth defects. However, you can take certain preventive steps to help you prevent infections that could harm you and your developing baby. Read on to know more.

Tips to Prevent Infections During Pregnancy

1. Maintain good hygiene at all times

Ensure you wash your hands often—especially when you're around or caring for children. Regular handwashing, particularly before and after certain activities, is one of the best ways to remove germs, avoid getting sick, and prevent infections.

2. Protect yourself from Zika virus

Zika virus can be passed from a pregnant woman to her fetus during pregnancy or to her baby around the time of birth. Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause either birth defects or other severe brain defects.

3. Avoid unpasteurized (raw) milk and foods made from it

Do not eat soft cheeses such as feta, brie, and queso fresco, unless they have labels that say they are made from pasteurized milk as unpasteurized products can contain harmful bacteria.

4. Cook your meat well

Undercooked meats and processed meats might contain harmful bacteria. While cooking meat take care that the juices run clear and there is no pink inside. Do not eat hot dogs, luncheon meats, or deli meats unless they are reheated until steaming hot.

5. Talk to your doctor about vaccinations

Some vaccines are recommended before you become pregnant, during pregnancy, or right after delivery and having the right vaccinations at the right time can help keep you healthy. It can also help keep your baby from getting very sick or having life-long health problems.

6. Get tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

It's important to know if you have an STI when you're pregnant because this can have serious effects on you and your baby. Some STIs are treatable while you're pregnant. Be sure you're using safe sex practices to prevent STIs.

7. Avoid people who have an infection

Infections like chickenpox or rubella can cause pregnancy complications and serious birth defects. It can even put you at risk for miscarriage or stillbirth. Stay away from anyone who has these infections.

8. Do not touch or change dirty cat litter.

If you have a pet cat, avoid touching the cat litter as they might contain harmful parasites. Instead have someone else do it.

9. Stay away from wild or pet rodents and their droppings.

Have a pest control professional get rid of pests in or around your home as some rodents might carry harmful virus.

10. Do not share your items

Avoid sharing your personal items with anyone, including your family members as it may result in spreading of infection.

Conclusion

Staying safe before and during pregnancy is very important. Following the above mentioned simple tips and preventing infections during pregnancy will become a lot easier for you.

Sources: Healthy Children, CDC, Up to date, PregMatters

Disclaimer: This blog provides general information and discussions about health and related subjects. The information and other content provided in this blog, website or in any linked materials are not intended and should not be considered, or used as a substitute for, medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Kindly contact your Doctor before starting a new medicine or health regime.

Iron-Rich Foods For Pregnant Women

Prepare Your Body For Pregnancy With These Tips

Find Out Which Vaccines Are Safe During Pregnancy

Health Insurance with Pregnancy Cover

Planning To Start a Family? Protect Them With Maternity Cover

Published on November 04, 2022