An acute fever can be a sign of a serious complication for a pregnant woman or her baby. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services suggests that a pregnant woman call her doctor immediately if she develops a fever or chills. An acute fever is a body temperature that suddenly increases above the norm of 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit.
An acute fever can also affect fertility. For example, the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that some conditions that cause high fevers can also cause infertility, such as
Chlamydia, by damaging reproductive organs.
What can cause an acute fever during pregnancy?Body temperature greater than 101 degrees Fahrenheit during the
first trimester of pregnancy could be the result of an infection that could affect an unborn baby. Fevers accompanied by a sore throat, fatigue, and swollen glands could be a sign of
cytomegalovirus (CMV), which can cause the unborn baby to suffer hearing loss, vision loss, and other disabilities.
The
influenza virus, or the flu, can cause a fever. The influenza virus is more likely to cause severe illness in pregnant women than in women who are not expecting. Pregnant women with the flu are also more likely to have problems during pregnancy and delivery, such as
premature labor and
delivery.
Fever in the
second trimester can signal a
urinary tract infection (UTI). Along with fever, UTIs often cause shaking chills, backache, and a burning sensation during urination. Left untreated, urinary tract infections can spread to the kidneys and may result in
preterm labor.
A pregnant woman with
listeriosis is suffering from an infection with the bacteria, listeria, found in some refrigerated and ready-to-eat foods. Signs and symptoms of listeriosis infection includes fever, muscle aches, chills, and sometimes nausea or diarrhea. Listeriosis infections, especially in the
third trimester, can result in early delivery or
miscarriage.
Fevers that develop in the first and second trimester can affect the development of a baby. Acute fevers in the third trimester can cause complications during labor and delivery. Any pregnant woman who experiences a fever that appears suddenly or a body temperature of 101 degrees Fahrenheit should consult a physician immediately. Seeking immediate medical attention for an acute fever improves the likelihood a woman will have a normal pregnancy and a healthy baby.
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