CDC warns pregnant women of potential infections

ATLANTA The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Monday posted a number of potential infections around which women who are pregnant or who are planning to become pregnant ought to be aware, including measures those women can take in an effort to avoid any complications.

For example, CDC noted that group B strep, also known as GBS, can be very dangerous for a newborn and that pregnant women ought to be tested for GBS between weeks 35 and 37. About a quarter of all women carry the bacteria that cause GBS infection, the CDC noted. GBS bacteria are usually not harmful to women but babies can get very sick and even die if their mothers pass GBS bacteria to them during childbirth.

For women with GBS, doctors can typically prescribe an antibiotic, usually penicillin, during labor that will prevent the bacteria from spreading to the baby.

Other concerns include the cytomegalovirus, which can lead to birth defects or other serious problems ? even death. The risk of getting CMV through casual contact is very small. Usually the virus is passed from infected people to others through direct contact with body fluids. Practicing good hygiene can reduce the chance of CMV infection while pregnant, the CDC noted.

A third concern for pregnant moms is listeriosis. Pregnant women are about 20 times more likely than other healthy adults to get listeriosis, a serious infection caused by eating food contaminated with Listeria bacteria. It mostly affects pregnant women, newborns, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems. About one-third of listeriosis cases happen during pregnancy.

Infected pregnant women may experience a mild, flu-like illness. Listeriosis during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery or infection in newborns.

In general, women can protect themselves from listeriosis by eating foods that are thoroughly cleaned and cooked. Pregnant women and others who are especially susceptible to the disease should take extra precautions.