Infections and Pregnancy Summary If you are pregnant, an infection can be more than just a problem for you. Some infections can be dangerous to your baby. You can help yourself avoid infections: Don’t eat raw or undercooked meat Don’t share food or drinks with other people Wash your hands frequently Don’t empty cat litter. Cats can transmit toxoplasmosis. You may need to take medicines or get a vaccine to prevent an infection in your baby. For example, you may need to take antibiotics if you develop an infection with group B strep, or take medicines if you have genital herpes. Only some medicines and vaccines are safe during pregnancy. Ask your health care provider about how best to protect you and your baby. Specifics 5 Things to Know About Zika and Pregnancy Nemours Foundation Colds and the Flu: Respiratory Infections during Pregnancy American Academy of Family Physicians Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Pregnancy Organization of Teratology Information Specialists E. Coli and Pregnancy Organization of Teratology Information Specialists Group B Streptococcus and Pregnancy American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C in Pregnancy American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Pregnancy and Fifth Disease Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Pregnancy Complications: Bacterial Vaginosis March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation Pregnancy Complications: Genital Herpes March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation Pregnancy Complications: Gonorrhea March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation Pregnancy Complications: Group B Strep Infection March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation Pregnancy Complications: Salmonellosis March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation Pregnant Women and Influenza (Flu) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Questions and Answers: Zika and Pregnancy Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy, and breastfeeding Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health Staphylococcus aureus and Pregnancy Organization of Teratology Information Specialists STDs and Pregnancy Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Toxoplasmosis and Pregnant Women Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Tuberculosis and Pregnancy Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Vibrio and Pregnancy Organization of Teratology Information Specialists Yeast Infection during Pregnancy Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Start Here Avoiding Infections in Pregnancy (Beyond the Basics) UpToDate Pregnancy Complications Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health Prevent Infections in Pregnancy Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Protect Your Unborn Baby or Newborn from Infections Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Patient Handouts Bacterial Vaginosis Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Immunization and Pregnancy Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Pregnant Women Need a Flu Shot Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Protect Your Baby for Life: When a Pregnant Woman Has Hepatitis B Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Toxoplasmosis: An Important Message for Women Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Related Issues Caring for Pets When You’re Pregnant March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation HPV Vaccine and Pregnancy Organization of Teratology Information Specialists Measles, Mumps, Rubella and the MMR Vaccine during Pregnancy Organization of Teratology Information Specialists Meningococcal Disease (Bacterial Meningitis) Vaccine and Pregnancy Organization of Teratology Information Specialists Seasonal Flu Vaccine Safety and Pregnant Women Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Smallpox Vaccination Information for Women Who Are Pregnant or Breastfeeding Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) Vaccine and Pregnancy Organization of Teratology Information Specialists Travelers’ Health: Pregnant Travelers Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Vaccinations during Pregnancy March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation Vaccines for Pregnant Women Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Zika and Sexual Transmission Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Living With Checklist of Foods to Avoid during Pregnancy Department of Health and Human Services Foods to Avoid or Limit during Pregnancy March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Infections and Pregnancy National Institutes of Health Prevention and Risk Factors Cytomegalovirus: Protect Your Baby Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Group B Strep Infection: Prevention in Newborns Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Protect Yourself and Your Baby from Dengue Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Array Group B streptococcal septicemia of the newborn Group B streptococcus – pregnancy Pregnancy and the flu Teenagers I’m Pregnant. Should I Get a Flu Shot? Nemours Foundation Find an Expert March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Encyclopedia Pregnancy and herpes Journal Articles Infections and Pregnancy Diagnosis and Tests TORCH Test American Association for Clinical Chemistry Latest News Flu Shot Might Cut Stillbirth Risk HealthDay Zika Virus Causes Brain Defects in Babies: CDC HealthDay Businesses Should Be Mindful of Zika Danger to Workers, CDC Says HealthDay Cases of Pregnant U.S. Women with Zika Triple Under New Counting Method HealthDay Zika Poses Serious Threat to Puerto Rico: U.S. Health Officials HealthDay U.S. Health Experts Debate Advice to Women Once Zika Virus Arrives HealthDay
