Chikungunya after Pregnancy

A pregnant woman is more prone to contracting chikungunya. This is because her immune system is already weakened by the changes that occur in the body during pregnancy. Although most cases of chikungunya during pregnancy is reported during the first trimester, it can also happen in the third trimester and worse, at the time of delivery.

If chikungunya fever breaks out at the time of delivery, the risk of transmission to the baby is greatest. In any other case of pregnant woman infected with chikungunya, research has shown that there is no noticeable case of mother-to-foetus transmission of the virus. If there is a emergency of delivery during chikungunya infection, it is important to admit the woman in a hospital which has the required facilities to deal with this situation.

Needless to say, the woman would need special care in delivery and it has to be done through an operation. Constant supervision of the woman’s condition as well as performing delivery can only be possible with expert doctors. Although, there has not been a reported case of chikungunya virus transmission through breastfeeding, the situation is much different in this case. The baby would have to be fed and looked after by someone other than her mother. This is important to protect her from infection.

Not only has the baby, the condition of the mother also needs to be very closely monitored for aggravation of symptoms. The changes in a woman’s body during pregnancy and after delivery make the control of chikungunya symptoms, which is the only option available, different from normal cases.

Read more articles on Chikungunya Causes and Risks