Chikungunya in Pregnancy

Chikungunya Virus Infection during Pregnancy.

What is Chikungunya?

Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne viral infection that causes severe joint pain, fever, and discomfort.

For details of Chikungunya visit , https://qazihe.com/chikungunya

Risks During Pregnancy:

Pregnant women if infected with Chikungunya, they are at risk for:

1. Maternal morbidity, means they are ill and have severe symptoms like fever and joint pain.

2. Preterm labor, means Increased risk of premature birth ( birth before full term of pregnancy ) which leads to many disorders of baby.

3. Low birth weight,  Baby may be born underweight , if baby born with low weight there may be need of incubator ( commonly known as shisha )

4. Fetal distress, Baby may experience distress during pregnancy which is a risk of baby death.

5. Vertical transmission, Up to 50% risk of passing the infection to baby during delivery.

Pregnancy Complications:

1. Spontaneous abortion, Increased risk of miscarriage ( matlab bacha zaya hojaeyga khud bakhud)

2. Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR):, Baby's growth may be restricted ( baby not receiving proper nutrition and blood from mother so baby become small from actual age ) 

3. Preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM), Increased risk of premature water break ( water leak from baby bag )

Prevention:

1. Wear protective clothing, Cover whole body with long-sleeved shirts and pants.

2. Apply insect repellent, Use DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus ( kiry makory machar bahgany wali spray wghera )

3. Eliminate standing water,  Prevent mosquito breeding ( khara pani khatm karin machar pyda hi ni hungy )

4. Use mosquito nets, Protect woman and new coming baby.

Symptoms:

1. Sudden onset of fever

2. Joint pain and swelling ( starting from small joints )

3. Headache

4. Muscle pain

5. Rashes with body itching

6. Back pain ( back pain is very common during pregnancy while chikungunya elevate it )

What to Do If Infected:

1. Seek medical attention: Consult with Qualified and registered healthcare provider.

2. Rest and hydrate: Drink plenty of fluids.

3. Take medication: Acetaminophen for fever and pain relief.

For details of Chikungunya visit , https://qazihe.com/chikungunya

Pregnancy-Specific Precautions:

1. Avoid NSAIDs and corticosteroids,  Consult with Qualified and registered healthcare provider.

2. Monitor liver function and platelet count, Regular blood tests ( LFTS, CBC)

Stay Informed:

1. World Health Organization (WHO) ( https://www.who.int/ )

2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) https://www.cdc.gov/index.html 

3. DR QAZI FAHIM SHEZAD YouTube channel. 

Share this information with pregnant women and families to raise awareness about Chikungunya risks and prevention.

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