Symptoms of shingles in pregnancy
Shingles presents itself in pregnancy in the same way as in other people. Since the viruses settle in certain nerve nodes, the symptoms appear only in the corresponding dermatomes. These are skin areas that are sensitively supplied by the nerves that originate in the affected nerve node.
In the diseased dermatome, the skin initially becomes unpleasantly hypersensitive or hypersensitive. A few days later a rash develops relatively quickly, which is characterized by blistering and an unusually strong limitation. A general feeling of illness sets in, which is accompanied by fever and headache. There may be swelling of the lymph nodes in the area of the rash. If a cranial nerve ganglion is affected, i.e. a nerve node which is connected to the auditory or optic nerve, for example, more specific symptoms such as tinnitus or lacrimation occur.
Treatment of shingles during pregnancy
Usually younger women tend to become pregnant. In patients under 50 years of age, antiviral therapy must be discussed immediately, as in most cases it is not needed. Only painkillers (analgesics) can be taken in case of particularly severe pain in the area of the rash.
Attention must also be paid to the side effects during pregnancy, whereby paracetamol is the safest analgesic. Various drugs have been developed for the antiviral treatment of shingles. The classical drugs prescribed are Aciclovir or Zovirax, but also Famciclovir, Valaciclovir or Brivudin.
The use of antivirals can relieve the pain and make the use of analgesics unnecessary. Pregnant women who have a negative immune status and have come into contact with viruses or even become ill must always receive antiviral therapy. This is an attempt to prevent an infection of the unborn child.
What is the risk of transmission to my baby during pregnancy?
Normally, shingles in pregnancy is not dangerous for the baby. In the case of shingles, there is a renewed infection with the varicella zoster virus. Da body has already formed antibodies against this virus after the first contact (usually by chickenpox).
These antibodies pass with the blood via the placenta into the circulation of the unborn child and thus protect it from infection. The situation is different if a pregnant woman gets chickenpox. In this case, it is the first contact with the varicella zoster virus.This can lead to malformations in the unborn child (varicella syndrome). However, shingles does not harm the baby.
