Dengue Fever is a notifiable viral disease caused by Flavivirus (RNA virus). It is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, particularly A. aegyptiis to the humans. Dengue Fever In Pregnancy requires hospitalization and close monitoring by a health care professional.
What is Dengue Fever?
- Dengue can have a wide clinical spectrum from a very mild disease to a very serious disease.
- It has an incubation period of 2 weeks and the illness has three phases -febrile, critical, and recovery phase.
The Three Phases of Dengue
Febrile Phase
It will last for about a week and is marked by high-grade fever, flushed body, occasional rash, generalized body ache, and headache.
Critical Phase
It starts when the fever starts subsiding but there is a drop in blood pressure and involvement of various organs.
It is in this phase that there is a drop in platelet count and white cell count. This phase can be fatal.
Recovery Phase
The last phase is the recovery phase.
Diagnosis Of Dengue
The diagnosis is clinical and laboratory diagnosis is not essential.
The antigens are detected on day 3 of fever and the antibodies are detected 5 days after the fever.
The CBC is usually the most useful to monitor the levels if the platelets and the white cells.
About Dengue Fever In Pregnancy
- The clinical manifestations, treatment, and outcome of dengue in pregnant women are similar to those of nonpregnant women.
- Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis is common because the symptoms are common to other causes of fever.
- Dengue by itself is not responsible for any adverse outcome in pregnancy except in the critical phase.
- It does not cause any fetal malformations and is not a reason for termination especially if it happens in the first trimester.
- It does pass through the placenta to infect the fetus.
- Dengue at the time of delivery can be dangerous in case the platelets are low. It can then cause heavy bleeding.
- The newborn babies would need close supervision if the mother had dengue just before or at the time of delivery.
Treatment Of Dengue In Pregnancy
- Pregnant women with dengue require hospitalization and close monitoring.
- Paracetamol is safe.
- NSAID’s are avoided as they are not safe.
- Hydration is the most important part of treatment and the patient is encouraged to take orally.
- Intravenous fluids are given if required.
- Antibiotics and steroids do not have any role in managing dengue.
- In critical cases, ICU care, blood or platelet transfusions may be required.
- Induction of labor or planned caesarean section is not required for Dengue and is done only if there is an obstetric reason.
If you have fever in pregnancy then it is advisable to see the physician and the obstetrician so that prompt diagnosis and appropriate management can be implemented.
Contact Dr. Sangeeta Agrawal if you have a fever during your pregnancy for timely treatment.
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