Dengue fever in pregnancy: what you need to know

Dengue fever is a serious illness caused by the dengue virus. It can lead to many dangerous complications, especially for pregnant women. There is currently no specific treatment and no vaccine to prevent it. Below are some important points to help you spot it early and get timely treatment, avoiding unnecessary complications. Specifically:

If you have signs that could be dengue fever, take these steps straight away to reduce the risk of the illness becoming severe:

• Don't buy and take medicines yourself, and don't have an IV drip without a doctor's prescription.

• Attend your antenatal check-ups on schedule to monitor your blood pressure and blood platelet count.

• Mild to moderate dengue can be treated at home as an outpatient with paracetamol 10-15mg/kg of body weight if your temperature is above 38°C, to bring down the fever and relieve pain (the safest option is still to take medicine on a doctor's advice.

• Drink plenty of water and fruit juices rich in vitamin C to prevent dehydration from vomiting, so your pregnancy isn't affected.

• Eat liquid, easy-to-digest food. Avoid greasy and spicy food.

• Stay relaxed, rest a lot and keep physical activity moderate.

• In severe and serious cases of dengue, a pregnant woman must be admitted to hospital and monitored continuously in intensive care.

• Dengue during labour is extremely dangerous, with a risk of postpartum haemorrhage and possible death.

• Follow the treatment plan and the instructions of health workers.

If you are monitoring yourself at home and have any of the following signs of severe illness, go to hospital straight away for emergency care:

• Sudden high fever (39 - 40°C), continuous fever that is hard to bring down, lasting 2-7 days
• Severe abdominal pain or muscle pain
• Rash and bleeding under the skin
• Persistent vomiting (at least 3 times in 1 hour)
• Nosebleeds or bleeding gums
• Vomiting blood or blood in your stools.
• Fast breathing or difficulty breathing.
• Feeling very tired, cold hands and feet, restlessness or lethargy.
• However, prevention is still the most effective way for mums-to-be to avoid the dangerous complications of dengue fever.

To learn much more about pregnancy and caring for young children, ask a question in the "Share" section or use the "Ask a doctor" feature for a quicker, more accurate answer! Content reviewed by Dr NGUYEN THI KIEU TRINH - Medical Adviser - Former Head of Obstetrics, Quang Nam General Hospital.

References:

Tu Du Hospital

Truong Tho Ward Health Station