A high index of suspicion is required for diagnosis of meningitis in pregnancy. Thorough history, examination and workup is vital for timely treatment. Prognosis in viral meningitis is excellent with no clear adverse fetal or neonatal outcomes.
How common is meningitis in pregnancy?
Few cases of bacterial meningitis during pregnancy have been reported in the literature, and the causative microorganisms and prognosis of bacterial meningitis during pregnancy are unclear. In a 6-year period we identified six cases of bacterial meningitis in pregnant women.
Can meningitis hurt my baby?
Viral meningitis is rarely life-threatening, but can still make babies and young children very unwell. Most children will make a good recovery, but recovery can be slow. Bacterial meningitis can be fatal and needs rapid admission to hospital and urgent medical treatment.
Can meningitis be passed from mother to baby?
During the first 28 days of life, bacterial meningitis is most often caused by bacteria called: Group B Streptococcus. This usually spreads from a mother to her baby at birth.
Can viral meningitis affect pregnancy Related Questions
How do you treat meningitis when pregnant?
Treatment options for meningitis Acyclovir, or Zovirax – This medication is usually administered to those that contracted meningitis due to HSV-2 as well as a number of arboviruses. Antibiotics. Antifungal medications. Over-the-counter medications – These medications help reduce pain and fever.
At what trimester does viruses can highly affect the fetus?
Vertical transmission of CMV can occur at any stage of pregnancy; however, severe sequelae are more common with infection in the first trimester, while the overall risk of infection is greatest in the third trimester. The risk for transmission to the fetus in primary infection is 30% to 40%.
Who is at highest risk for meningitis?
Although meningitis affects all ages, young children are most at risk. Newborn babies are at most risk from Group B streptococcus, young children are at higher risk from meningococcus, pneumococcus and Haemophilus influenzae.
What are the 5 causes of meningitis?
Bacterial Meningitis. Meningitis caused by bacteria can be deadly and requires immediate medical attention. Viral Meningitis. Fungal Meningitis. Parasitic Meningitis. Amebic Meningitis. Non-Infectious Meningitis.
What is the number one cause of meningitis?
Viral infections are the most common cause of meningitis. That’s followed by bacterial infections and, rarely, fungal and parasitic infections. Because bacterial infections can lead to death, learning the cause is essential.
How quickly does meningitis develop?
Typically, symptoms of bacterial meningitis develop within 3 to 7 days after exposure; note, this is not true for TB meningitis, which can develop much later after exposure to the bacteria. People with bacterial meningitis can have seizures, go into a coma, and even die.
What does meningitis neck pain feel like?
Meningitis neck pain may feel like severe stiffness when you try to turn your neck or bend you neck forward. It may also feel like a deep, throbbing pain that extends from the bottom of your skull down into your upper back.
What hurts when you have meningitis?
One of the most common symptoms of meningitis is a severe headache. This is due to inflammation in the meninges, which are the membranes surrounding the brain and the spinal cord. The inflammation can result in significant pain.
Where do you catch meningitis?
The infection is usually spread by people who carry these viruses or bacteria in their nose or throat, but are not ill themselves. The infection can also be spread by someone with meningitis, although this is less common. It’s possible to get meningitis more than once.
What drugs cause meningitis?
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) Antimicrobials (e.g., trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, amoxicillin, isoniazid) Muromonab-CD3 (Orthoclone OKT3) Azathioprine. Intravenous immunoglobulin. Intrathecal methotrexate. Intrathecal cystine arabinoside.
Can I get my meningitis shot while pregnant?
Currently, the US CDC recommends that vaccination with MenB vaccines should be deferred in pregnant and lactating women unless the woman is at increased risk and the benefits of vaccination are considered to outweigh the potential risks.
How contagious is meningitis?
People spread meningococcal bacteria to other people by sharing respiratory and throat secretions (saliva or spit). Generally, it takes close (for example, coughing or kissing) or lengthy contact to spread these bacteria. Fortunately, they are not as contagious as germs that cause the common cold or the flu.
How do you fight off meningitis?
antibiotics given directly into a vein. fluids given directly into a vein to prevent dehydration. oxygen through a face mask if there are any breathing difficulties. steroid medication to help reduce any swelling around the brain, in some cases.
How quickly does meningitis need to be treated?
Acute bacterial meningitis must be treated right away with intravenous antibiotics and sometimes corticosteroids. This helps to ensure recovery and reduce the risk of complications, such as brain swelling and seizures.
What infections cause birth defects?
Toxoplasmosis, cytomegalovirus (CMV), varicella, rubella, and lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) are among the agents that are recognized to have the potential to cause birth defects in a developing fetus.
Can getting sick while pregnant hurt the baby?
Getting Sick with the Flu While Pregnant Can Increase Birth Defects Risk. Women who become sick with the flu early in pregnancy are twice as likely to have a baby with a serious birth defect of the brain, spine, or heart than women who don’t catch the virus.