Pregnancy and Malaria: Reducing Your Risk
Pregnant women need to take every possible precaution to
avoid
malaria. Malaria can cause death of the mother and
increase the risk of problems in a pregnancy. These problems can include
premature birth, birth defects, miscarriage, and stillbirth. For these reasons,
and because medicines that prevent malaria do not always work, women who are
pregnant or likely to become pregnant should avoid travel to areas
where malaria is present.
1
If you must travel, you can take certain medicines that
prevent malaria. Keep in mind that these medicines do not always work. So far,
these medicines have not proved harmful to the fetus. But their safety has not
been established.
You can also help prevent malaria by avoiding
mosquito bites. Bed nets, long-sleeved shirts, air conditioning, and staying
indoors can help.
Talk to your doctor, your local
health department, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or a travel
clinic about your risk of contracting malaria in the country where you intend
to travel.
Citations
-
American Academy of Pediatrics (2009). Malaria. In LK
Pickering et al., eds., Red Book: 2009 Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases, 28th ed., pp. 438–444. Elk Grove Village, IL:
American Academy of Pediatrics.
|
By
| Healthwise Staff |
|
Primary Medical Reviewer
| Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
|
Specialist Medical Reviewer
| W. David Colby IV, MSc, MD, FRCPC - Infectious Disease |
|
Last Revised
| April 20, 2011 |
Last Revised:
April 20, 2011
American Academy of Pediatrics (2009). Malaria. In LK
Pickering et al., eds., Red Book: 2009 Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases, 28th ed., pp. 438–444. Elk Grove Village, IL:
American Academy of Pediatrics.
