Having malaria while pregnant can have a huge effect on the mother as the changes a woman goes through while pregnant and the side effects of malaria can make things worse. Malaria is more common in pregnancy compared to the general population, and the treatment for it may be more difficult considering the physical changes the woman goes through while she’s pregnant.
Book an Appointment with Dr Neeru Mehra for Gynecology related concerns.
What is Malaria?
Malaria is a disease transmitted through the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito that contains Plasmodium parasite. It is most commonly transmitted through blood, but in some cases through blood transfusion, organ transplant, or through infected or shared syringes or needles.
Precautionary measures:
As malaria is transmitted by mosquitoes, it can be prevented by making sure there are no mosquito breeding spots in your house or your workspace.
It is best to take as many precautions as possible, in order to avoid any potential growth or breeding of mosquitoes around you. Malaria may be caused due to loss of immunity, the growth of a new organ called the Placenta, or simply the weather conditions.
Common symptoms of Malaria during pregnancy:
If you suspect having any of these symptoms, it is best to visit your doctor and get the tests done immediately. You will be checked for parasites with a smear of your blood under a microscope. The presence of parasites in your bloodstream means you have malaria and will be treated accordingly. Whereas, if you get at least three negative results, with a gap of 12-24 hours, you do not have malaria. It is best for pregnant women to take all the precautions possible in order to avoid complications with your pregnancy.
Want to consult the best gynecologists in India? Please find the links below.
The treatments depend on the severity of the infection and the pregnancy trimester. Mild malaria in the first trimester is treated with a combination of Quinine + Clindamycin for 7 days. In the second and third trimesters, Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT) is preferred. Severe infection might require intravenous artesunate or quinine irrespective of the pregnancy stage.
Contracting malaria during pregnancy can be dangerous to both mother and baby. It can lead to severe anaemia in the mother, which increases the risk of heart failure or fatal haemorrhage during childbirth. The developing baby is at a higher risk of low birth weight, preterm birth, stillbirth, miscarriage, and placental or congenital malaria.
Yes, malaria during pregnancy can cause severe anaemia in the mother, which in turn can lead to stillbirth or a miscarriage. The risk is higher if the mother contracts the infection in the first or second trimester.
Unfortunately, she cannot know about the infection until it is too late. Malaria symptoms appear only 2 weeks after the mosquito bite. When infected, the expecting mother will experience flu-like symptoms, high fever, headaches, joint aches, gastric issues, and shortness of breath in severe cases.
Best Gynecologists in Bellandur Best Gynecologists in Electronic City Best Gynecologists in HRBR LayoutBest Gynecologists in Jayanagar Best Gynecologists in Kanakapura RoadBest Gynecologists in Malleswaram Best Gynecologists in Nagarbhavi Best Gynecologists in Old Airport RoadBest Gynecologists in Sahakarnagar Best Gynecologists in Sarjapur RoadBest Gynecologists in ThanisandraBest Gynecologists in Varthur RoadBest Gynecologists in Whitefield Best Gynecologists in Industrial Area Phase IIBest Gynecologists in OMRBest Gynecologists in T NagarBest Gynecologists in New Industrial TownBest Gynecologists in IndirapuramBest Gynecologists in Golf Course RoadBest Gynecologists in Sector 14Best Gynecologists in Sector 47Best Gynecologists in Banjara HillsBest Gynecologists in GachibowliBest Gynecologists in Hitech CityBest Gynecologists in KompallyBest Gynecologists in Jawahar NagarBest Gynecologists in Gomti NagarBest Gynecologists in Phase 3, Sector 58Best Gynecologists in MaladBest Gynecologists in NerulBest Gynecologists in VashiBest Gynecologists in Kailash ColonyBest Gynecologists in PatparganjBest Gynecologists in Punjabi BaghBest Gynecologists in RohiniBest Gynecologists in VikaspuriBest Gynecologists in Gaur CityBest Gynecologists in Pari ChowkBest Gynecologists in Sector 51Best Gynecologists in Sector 5 Swastik ViharBest Gynecologists in Kalyani NagarBest Gynecologists in SB RoadBest Gynecologists in Pimple SaudagarBest Pediatricians in BellandurBest Pediatricians in Electronic CityBest Pediatricians in HRBR LayoutBest Pediatricians in JayanagarBest Pediatricians in Kanakapura RoadBest Pediatricians in MalleswaramBest Pediatricians in NagarbhaviBest Pediatricians in Old Airport RoadBest Pediatricians in SahakarnagarBest Pediatricians in Sarjapur RoadBest Pediatricians in ThanisandraBest Pediatricians in Varthur RoadBest Pediatricians in WhitefieldBest Pediatricians in Industrial Area Phase IIBest Pediatricians in OMRBest Pediatricians in T NagarBest Pediatricians in New Industrial TownshipBest Pediatricians in IndirapuramBest Pediatricians in Golf Course RoadBest Pediatricians in Sector 14Best Pediatricians in Sector 47Best Pediatricians in Hitech CityBest Pediatricians in Banjara HillsBest Pediatricians in GachibowliBest Pediatricians in KompallyBest Pediatricians in Jawahar NagarBest Pediatricians in Gomti NagarBest Pediatricians in Phase 3, Sector 58Best Pediatricians in MaladBest Pediatricians in NerulBest Pediatricians in VashiBest Pediatricians in Kailash ColonyBest Pediatricians in PatparganjBest Pediatricians in Punjabi BaghBest Pediatricians in RohiniBest Pediatricians in VikaspuriBest Pediatricians in Gaur CityBest Pediatricians in Pari ChowkBest Pediatricians in Sector 51Best Pediatricians in Sector 5 Swastik ViharBest Pediatricians in Kalyani NagarBest Pediatricians in SB RoadBest Pediatricians in Pimple Saudagar
