Scarlet Fever and Pregnancy
and Martina Feichter, medical editor and biologistRicarda Schwarz studied medicine in Würzburg, where she also completed her doctorate. After a wide range of tasks in practical medical training (PJ) in Flensburg, Hamburg and New Zealand, she is now working in neuroradiology and radiology at the Tübingen University Hospital.
More about the expertsMartina Feichter studied biology with an elective subject pharmacy in Innsbruck and also immersed herself in the world of medicinal plants. From there it was not far to other medical topics that still captivate her to this day. She trained as a journalist at the Axel Springer Academy in Hamburg and has been working for since 2007 - first as an editor and since 2012 as a freelance writer.
More about the experts All content is checked by medical journalists.
The risk of infection is very high with scarlet fever. Pregnancy is generally a sensitive time for such infections because of the possible dangers for the unborn child. However, if scarlet fever in pregnant women is recognized and treated quickly, there is no increased risk for the child. Here you can find out everything you need to know about scarlet fever and pregnancy.
ICD codes for this disease: ICD codes are internationally recognized codes for medical diagnoses. They can be found, for example, in doctor's letters or on certificates of incapacity for work. A38
Scarlet Fever in Pregnancy
Scarlet fever is mostly a childhood disease. However, adults can also get it. Scarlet fever also occurs in pregnant women. The hormonal changes in pregnancy weaken the immune system. That is why a pregnant woman is generally more susceptible to infections.
Scarlet fever is caused by a bacterium in the strep family of bacteria. The human body can form protective antibodies against the toxins of this bacterium. So a woman who had scarlet fever sometime before her pregnancy is better protected. But it can also get sick again, as there are different strains of the scarlet fever pathogen.
If a woman is pregnant with scarlet fever, she should see a doctor and seek treatment right away. The prerequisite for this is that you recognize the symptoms as possible scarlet fever symptoms.
Scarlet Fever & Pregnancy: Symptoms
The symptoms of scarlet fever do not change during pregnancy: scarlet fever causes tonsillitis and throat inflammation as well as fever in almost all patients. Typically, a deep red "raspberry tongue" and a reddish rash develop that spreads from the groin over the body. Swollen cervical lymph nodes, vomiting, and chills are also possible symptoms of scarlet fever.
Pregnancy and the unborn child are not particularly endangered by the disease itself. Any complications and long-term effects that may arise can, however, be dangerous.
Scarlet Fever & Pregnancy: Potential Risks
Of course, pregnancy without any diseases is optimal. However, most pregnant women also get sick once during these nine months. There are diseases that have no direct impact on the unborn child. This also includes scarlet fever - the disease itself does not lead to an increased risk of miscarriage or stillbirth, nor to child malformations. Even so, if an expectant mother has scarlet fever, the pregnancy and the unborn child should be monitored more closely. Because if the infection is detected and treated too late, complications and long-term consequences can arise, which also affect the child:
Sometimes heart and kidney infections develop as a result of scarlet fever. In the case of pregnant women, there is then a greater risk for the unborn child. The mother's heart and kidneys are important for the child's adequate supply of oxygen and nutrients. Therefore, functional impairments of these organs through scarlet fever can endanger pregnancy and the growth of the child.
Scarlet Fever & Pregnancy: Treatment
As a bacterial infectious disease, scarlet fever can be treated well with an antibiotic. Penicillin in particular is used in the therapy of scarlet fever. Pregnancy and breastfeeding are phases in which medication should generally only be administered if absolutely necessary. Penicillin, however, is one of those antibiotics that pregnant and breastfeeding women are allowed to receive.
Scarlet fever symptoms generally resolve within a few days of starting therapy. Even so, the drug should be given for the full ten days as directed by the doctor. Only then does the risk of complications and long-term effects from scarlet fever decrease. Pregnancy and breastfeeding are usually problem-free.
General tips for scarlet fever include bed rest, drinking plenty of fluids (against the fever), warm throat compresses (against the sore throat) and soft or liquid food (for swallowing problems).
Scarlet Fever & Pregnancy: Prevention
The infectious disease scarlet fever is very contagious and so far there is no vaccine against it. Especially in kindergartens and schools, but also in other community facilities, many people often develop scarlet fever at the same time. During pregnancy, women should therefore avoid affected community facilities - as well as close contact with (potentially) sick people.
