As a rule, the Coxsackie virus does not pose a serious danger. This is a common enterovirus infection. In adults, it passes quickly and does not affect the general state of health.
But there are special warnings for pregnant women with doctors. What is the peculiarity of the Coxsackie virus? Is it dangerous for pregnant women? And if so, how much?
What is coxsackie virus?
The Coxsackie virus, which produces an intense itchy rash, is actually common in all water bodies around the world. This disease has long been known and is mainly a childhood disease. Mostly sick children from 3 to 9 years old, who often pull dirty toys in their mouths. In our medicine, this disease is simply called hand-foot-mouth syndrome. The name is, because the rash occurs precisely in these areas of the body.
It causes an enterovirus rash, which spreads both by airborne droplets and contact. The disease spreads very quickly, causing an epidemic. The virus, entering the oral mucosa, penetrates the bloodstream, then into the intestines. And it multiplies already in the intestines.
Koksaki is a heat-loving virus, so foci of the epidemic usually occur in the hottest summers. Any contact with the patient’s personal belongings or sneezing near you is already a sufficient condition to get sick.
The incubation period is about 6 days. With high humidity and hot weather, the chances of getting sick greatly increase.
Symptoms of infection
Confusing the Coxsackie virus with other infections is difficult. He has characteristic signs that can be determined without the participation of a doctor.
Bright signs of infection are:
- rash mainly in the mouth, on the palms and feet;
- itching
- fever;
- sometimes muscle pain.
Nevertheless, in most cases, there may not be any manifestations. This intestinal infection, it happens, simply multiplies asymptomatically in the intestine, and a person, without knowing it, is a dangerous carrier of enterovirus. Rash and redness are classic manifestations of the disease, but there are other forms.
Forms of Coxsackie Virus Disease
The disease, as we said, may not manifest itself and develop secretly. But, depending on various factors, the disease can manifest itself in several forms.
We list them:
- Flu-like form. It is relatively easy. The patient's temperature rises slightly and the symptoms resemble a mild ARI. If a child or adult has been ill with this syndrome, no unforeseen complications arise.
- Enterovirus exanthema. The classic form, expressed in a rash. Usually there are no serious consequences.
- Pleurodinia - the syndrome is accompanied by severe pain in the muscle tissue of the chest. There is inflammation of these muscles.
- Intestinal form - is very acute. The temperature rises to 39-40 0 C. The patient has frequent vomiting, indigestion. Usually in children, this form is easier.
- Syndrome with the manifestation of hemorrhagic conjunctivitis. Symptoms of this form are: pain in the eyes, lacrimation, suppuration.
The latent form is the most dangerous, since the infection remains in the body and cannot be treated in any way, but the consequences are not long in coming. And although the disease is harmless at first glance, serious complications, including damage to the cerebral cortex, cause anxiety. But such lesions are extremely rare.
The virus itself has 2 types:
- Coxsackie A (24 subtypes);
- Coxsackie B (6 subtypes).
Not so simple is the Coxsackie virus. Is a set of symptoms such as a rash, chest pain, or vomiting dangerous for pregnant women? These manifestations are not dangerous, but deviations can occur in an unformed fetus.
Coxsackie virus how does it affect the fetus?
This is just the kind of disease that is dangerous for the unborn child . Even if the woman herself easily tolerates the Coxsackie virus, the infection often leads to fetal growth retardation or abnormalities. The virus crosses the placental barrier. What does this lead to? There may be several pathologies:
- The child suffers in utero from hydrocephalus and is born with dropsy.
- Pregnancy fades and the female body gets rid of the fetus. That is, a miscarriage occurs.
- The fetus as a whole develops normally, but the heart suffers. A baby will be born with a serious heart defect.
- Malformations in the genitourinary system are also possible.
If a person has had this syndrome, he has already formed antibodies. But if a woman first encountered this virus during pregnancy, then her immunity, weakened by the same pregnancy, cannot protect either herself or the child . Therefore, the consequences in this case are most serious .
If a woman "picks up" a group B virus, then there probably will not be a miscarriage, but the risk of infection of the baby directly during childbirth is high. It is also very dangerous for the newborn . A very common consequence of such infection during childbirth or in the first hours after them are severe neurological abnormalities in the child .
In what trimester of pregnancy is the virus most dangerous?
So what do we know about the Coxsackie virus? Is it dangerous for pregnant women and the fetus? The most dangerous period, of course, is considered the 1st trimester, when the neural tube and the main internal organs are laid. What do we know about the effects of the Koksaki virus during pregnancy? The consequences for the fetus and mother are not optimistic. The probability of a miscarriage in the first 10-12 weeks is very high.
At this time, it is strictly forbidden to be at risk of infection. It is necessary to avoid polluted reservoirs , public pools. The pregnant woman should often wash her hands and not eat vegetables or dirty fruits, right from the garden.
Coxsackie virus is also dangerous in the second trimester of pregnancy. Reviews of already ill women about such an experience are sad. You can not leave this disease unattended in any trimester, but the shorter the term, the more serious the consequences.
Complications in newborns
We described the Coxsackie virus, whether it is dangerous for pregnant women, also discussed. Now let's talk about the consequences of infection with the virus of newborns .
Children suffer from the following complications:
- pericarditis;
- liver failure or congenital hepatitis;
- encephalomyocarditis;
- pneumonia.
Children with encephalomyocarditis often die. And if you manage to save them, then such babies after the disease have remained disabled.
Even if the baby is infected by the mother during childbirth, doctors recommend continuing breastfeeding. After all, the mother’s antibodies are transmitted to the baby during feeding.
Coxsackie Enterovirus Treatment
The first thing to do if someone in the house is sick with this syndrome is to isolate him in a separate room and give personal dishes. A pregnant woman should not contact the patient. After all, what is the Coxsackie virus? This is an infection that can penetrate the placenta and cause significant harm to the fetus. How to treat Coxsackie virus during pregnancy?
Usually the treatment is symptomatic. The patient is given all known antipyretic drugs for temperature. But since most pharmaceutical preparations are contraindicated when a woman is expecting a baby , they give her interferon in small doses. But until 14-15 weeks, even using it is prohibited.
The child should develop its own interferon. An artificial drug can cause a miscarriage. In general, during pregnancy, you can not independently treat infections. You should immediately consult a doctor.
Infection prevention
Coxsackie virus during pregnancy, as said, is very dangerous for the fetus. How to prevent infection? First, you need to thoroughly wash all fruits and vegetables. It is not recommended to supercool. It is forbidden to swim in rivers with stagnant water. You need to often walk in the fresh, clean air.
If the house has an older child , make sure that he also constantly washed his hands with soap after the street, and not just rinsed it.
All toys brought from the street must be disinfected. The virus can be in an environment without a carrier for a long time. But if one is infected, the disease quickly spreads to all family members.
Following these simple rules will help reduce the risk of infection with such a dangerous enterovirus as the Coxsackie virus.