Symptoms of Infection in Pregnancy

by Cynthia M. Johnson, MA

En Español (Spanish Version)

Symptoms of infection differ with each type of infection. You may not have any signs. Or, an infection may cause mild signs that are like the flu. If you think you have an infection, talk to your doctor right away.

Signs of parvovirus B19 (fifth disease) may be:
- Joint pain
- Fatigue
- Rash on the face, trunk, arms, and legs
Signs of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) may be:
- Itching around vagina
- Discharge
- Pain during sex
- Pain in the pelvis
- Sores or blisters
Signs of chorioamnionitis may be:
- Fever
- Rapid heartbeat (the baby may also have a rapid heartbeat)
- Sweating
- A womb that is tender to the touch
- A discharge that has an unusual smell
Signs of listeriosis may be:
- Mild signs like the flu
- Headaches
- Muscle aches
- Fever
- If listeriosis spreads to the nervous system it can cause stiff neck, confusion, or seizures.
Signs of a urinary tract infection (UTI) may be:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Pain or burning feeling when urinating
- Sense of incomplete urination
- Aching pain over the bladder
- Blood in the urine
- Need to urinate often
- If the UTI moves to the kidneys and into the blood stream, it can cause pelvic pain, back pain, vomiting, fever, and early labor.
Signs of chickenpox infection may be:
- Fever
- Itchy rash
- Weakness
- Chills
- Headache

REFERENCES:

Bacterial vaginosis during pregnancy. American Pregnancy Association website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Updated August 2015. Accessed August 13, 2018.

Chickenpox. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T116084/Chickenpox . Updated June 25, 2018. Accessed August 13, 2018.

Chorioamnionitis. Cleveland Clinic website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Updated October 18, 2012. Accessed August 13, 2018.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and congenital CMV infection. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Updated June 6, 2018. Accessed August 13, 2018.

Group B Strep (GBS). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Updated May 29, 2018. Accessed August 13, 2018.

Listeria and pregnancy. American Pregnancy Association website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Updated March 10, 2017. Accessed August 13, 2018.

Pregnancy and fifth disease. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Updated November 17, 2017. August 13, 2018.

STDs during pregnancy. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Updated October 6, 2017. Accessed August 13, 2018.

Toxoplasmosis. Family Doctor—American Academy of Family Physicians website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Updated May 1, 2014. Accessed August 13, 2018.

Urinary tract infection during pregnancy. American Pregnancy Association website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Updated March 10, 2017. Accessed August 13 ,2018.

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Last reviewed May 2018 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Beverly Siegal, MD, FACOG
Last Updated: 8/13/2018

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