Norovirus and Pregnancy: What You Should Know?

Norovirus infections and pregnancy? What you should clearly understand about them? If you search on internet, there are not too many researches published that discuss about this issue specifically, but one thing that you should know, about 50 percent of the gastroenteritis-cases may be caused by norovirus infection (gastroenteritis includes diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal pain). This suggests that the risk of norovirus infection in pregnancy (for pregnant women) is believed relatively high.

You may also like to know about the incubation period of norovirus gastroenteritis, before continuing!

Norovirus is RNA virus (small virus) that doesn’t appear to directly affect the baby (which doesn’t readily cross the placenta). The infections with noroviruses are often known as ‘stomach flu’, which are also mistaken sometimes for –food poisoning-. The common symptoms of these infections are not only abdominal pain or diarrhea but sometimes also accompanied by muscle aches, tiredness, chills, and fever with not too high temperature (low-grade type of fever).

It is around two to three days for the course of infection, and one thing you should be aware is electrolyte imbalances and dehydration that can be generated and caused by diarrhea (relatively more often occurs in adults), vomiting (relatively more often occurs in children -- read also norovirus in children), and nausea.

If you get a severe dehydration or electrolyte imbalance, you should contact your doctor immediately, especially for women with pregnancy! The risk of preterm labor and tract infections in women with pregnancy will increase and can be higher if they have electrolyte imbalances & dehydration.

There are some factors that can spread norovirus, and most often through contaminated foods, water and even can be directly passed from one individual with norovirus infection to another. The early signs of the infection can occur within 1-2 days after exposure. Ice machines, municipal water supply, undercooked shellfish, lakes or swimming pools and even ill people who handle food sources can become contaminated sources of the infection.

In several cases, norovirus infections can lead to serious health problems, or even death (particularly in elderly and children or in debilitated individuals  -- in these groups, the infection may cause serious complications that eventually will cause death). In fact, there is about 300 deaths /year in the U.S that are caused by these infections.

The last, if you have experience any signs associated with viral gastroenteritis,  then make sure that your doctor knows your condition (particularly if you are being pregnant). The fluid intake is so important for women with pregnancy. And if the fluid intake is less or poor then the risks of serious complications associated with the pregnancy may occur! Contact your doctor immediately if you get a high fever, start having contractions, or other serious symptoms. 

Don't forget to read also pieces of helpful information about simple norovirus prevention tips!

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Reference: WebMD

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