During pregnancy, your body undergoes many changes. You may notice normal and abnormal symptoms of pregnancy. You must be cautious when you observe a rise in body temperature, as fever during pregnancy may indicate an underlying infection. Distinguishing normal fever and fever due to a severe infection is vital, as it helps protect the fetus. Differentiating between normal fever and brain fever in pregnancy, based on key signs and symptoms, can facilitate immediate medical treatment. This guide explains the symptoms, causes, and risks of brain fever, and how it differs from a normal fever.
A pregnant woman is considered to have a normal fever when the temperature is above 100°F, and it is usually accompanied by symptoms such as a sore throat, runny nose, cough, mild body pain, andheadache. It is generally a rise in temperature due to an immune response to common bacterial and viral infections.
A normal fever during pregnancy subsides with hydration and rest. However, if the fever persists, consult your healthcare provider immediately, as fever-related heat can affect fetal development. Your doctor may prescribe safe medications to reduce body temperature or treat the underlying infection.
Brain fever is a nonmedical term; the medically correct terms are meningitis or encephalitis. The inflammation of the brain or spinal cord usually causes it. Weakened immunity makes pregnant women highly susceptible to serious infections like brain fever. Brain fever during pregnancy is generally associated with a high fever, which is usually more than 102 °F, and you may suffer from severe headache, stiff neck, extreme sensitivity to light, sudden confusion, seizures and other neurological changes. It is a serious illness during pregnancy as it significantly affects both the mother and the baby.
Brain fever causes in pregnant women are listed below.
● Bacterial infections caused by Listeria monocytogenes and Group B Streptococcus can cause brain fever during pregnancy.
● Viral infections, UTI, autoimmune conditions and food poisoning may also lead to brain fever.
Brain fever during pregnancy is a life-threatening condition, and it potentially poses a significant risk to both the mother and the baby. It is crucial to distinguish between normal fever and brain fever, with pregnancy fever warning signs. In cases of a normal fever due to colds, flu, UTIs, or other mild infections, you may experience a runny nose, cough, chills, fatigue, and body aches. It is usually treated at home with pregnancy-safe medications. Red-flag brain fever symptoms that help distinguish between the two types of fever include persistent and severe headache, neck stiffness, hallucinations, confusion, and seizures. When you notice any of the above during pregnancy, you may require immediate medical care.
A normal fever during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester, poses various risks and can lead to complications when left untreated. High fever risks during pregnancy are:
● Dehydration: Vomiting and diarrhoea with fever can lead to severe electrolyte loss and dehydration.
● Neural Tube Defects: A maternal fever may increase the risk of neural tube defects in the fetus.
● Affects Fetal Development: A high-grade fever during the first trimester can significantly affect fetal development.
● Pre-term Labour: You are at a high risk of preterm labour if you suffer from fever due to a UTI.
Brain fever during pregnancy is a serious condition with various risk conditions.
● Neurological Disorders: The mother may suffer from neurological conditions like seizures, movement disorders, memory loss and confusion.
● Infection: Pregnant women may develop a high fever due to a severe underlying disease.
● Miscarriage: There is a high risk of certain pathogens crossing the placenta, leading to miscarriage.
Pregnant women with high fever due to severe infections must look for specific warning signs listed below.
● Sudden onset of severe headache that persists even with rest and medications
● Altered mental status, difficulty in speaking and thinking, sudden confusion, drowsiness
● Inability to lower your chin due to neck stiffness
● Seizure episodes and sensitivity to light
Immediate hospitalisation is required when you notice or experience the above warning signs.
Your doctor may recommend immediate tests, including a blood test to detect the germs causing the infection, a spinal tap to assess the infection, an MRI to check for inflammation in the brain, and an EEG to study brain activity.
Treating brain fever during pregnancy mainly depends on the type of infection causing it. Bacterial infections are treated with IV antibiotics containing drugs for Listeria. Viral infections are treated with fluids, painkillers, and antivirals for herpes or flu.
Both normal fever and brain fever involve high temperature. However, the symptoms and risks of both are different. Identifying the differences between normal fever and brain fever is crucial to avoid maternal complications and fetal damage. High temperature with brain fever red flags requires immediate emergency medical intervention.
A low-grade fever, i.e., between 100°F and 100.4°F, is considered normal during pregnancy; a sudden, high-grade fever may indicate a brain fever. A normal fever may be due to a cold, flu, UTI, or other infections. In contrast, brain fever or meningitis is mainly due to inflammation of the brain, and you may experience severe headache, confusion, stiff neck, seizures, and sensitivity to light.
Bacterial and viral infections primarily cause brain fever (meningitis) during pregnancy. Autoimmune disorders, immunity changes and malnutrition may increase the risk of brain fever in pregnant women.
A pregnant woman who experiences a persistent, high-grade fever should consult a healthcare provider immediately, as it may be due to a severe infection. Also, if fever is accompanied by stiff neck, sudden confusion, light sensitivity, and severe headache, it may indicate inflammation of the brain (meningitis) or brain fever, requiring emergency medical care.
Yes, brain fever during pregnancy can significantly affect the baby in the womb. Brain fever during the first trimester can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, neural tube defects and pre-term labour. However, immediate medical attention can help prevent serious complications.
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