Read on to know more about maternal pneumonia, its causes, symptoms, treatment, and preventative measures.
What Is Pneumonia?
Pneumonia is a bacterial, viral, or fungal (rare) infection of one or both lungs. The lungs are inflamed and become less elastic, thus creating breathing difficulties. The air sacs (alveoli) are inflated with pus or fluid (1). Pneumonia cases are usually reported during the winter, with the damp climatic conditions acting as a catalyst for microbes to survive.
Causes Of Pneumonia During Pregnancy
Pneumonia is usually triggered by cold climate. It usually occurs during the rains and winters and starts with a common cold or flu. You could get pneumonia during pregnancy as you might have a weak immune system and also because of the reduced lung capacity due to the pressure put by the expanding uterus. These make you susceptible to pneumonia, which could be of the following types (2) (3).
Bacterial pneumonia: It is the leading cause of pneumonia that develops either on its own or following viral flu or cold. It mostly affects one lobe or a part of the lung. Some of the common bacteria that cause this infection are Streptococcus pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Haemophilus influenzae.
Viral pneumonia: Viruses enter the lung cells and multiply. Infection with viruses such as influenza A and B, respiratory syncytial virus, coronavirus, adenoviruses, and parainfluenza viruses may lead to pneumonia.
Fungal pneumonia: This is a rare form of pneumonia during pregnancy, and mostly caused by the fungus Coccidioidomycosis, in the third trimester.
Pregnant women are not likely to get pneumonia more often than non-pregnant women (3). Therefore, the risk factors of pneumonia are the same in pregnant and non-pregnant women. If they get pneumonia, it can be slightly more complicated because of the weak immune system.
Factors That Increase The Risk Of Pneumonia During Pregnancy
You are likely to contract pneumonia if you (4) (5):
Have anemia or asthma Are using antepartum corticosteroids (given to improve fetal lung maturity) or tocolytic agents (to help induce labor) Smoke, drink regularly Have poor nutrition Work with young children (who could be the carriers of the infection) Frequently visit or spend time at hospitals and nursing homes
Signs and Symptoms Of Pneumonia During Pregnancy
Just like the risk factors, the symptoms of maternal pneumonia are also the same as those of pneumonia. Common symptoms include (6):
Cold and/or flu associated with a sore throat, headache and body pains Fever and chills Cough that gets severe Chest pain Breathing difficulties or rapid breathing Excessive fatigue Vomiting Loss of appetite
If you have these symptoms, visit a doctor. It is good to treat pneumonia at the beginning because untreated pneumonia in pregnant women might lead to some complications in pregnancy. It is recommended to seek immediate emergency care if you have a high fever, chest pain, confusion, and lack of fetal movements.
Complications Of Pneumonia While Pregnant
Research studies have associated pneumonia during pregnancy with increased maternal morbidity and mortality (7). Severe or neglected pneumonia might lead to complications in the mother and the baby. For the mother:
Oxygen levels fall as the lungs cannot produce enough oxygen. This could lead to congestion where fluids accumulate around the lungs, and the infection may spread to other parts of the body, including the bloodstream. It may also lead to a collection of pus in the pleural cavity, also called empyema (4). May lead to miscarriage in early pregnancy Image: Shutterstock Respiratory failure (2)
For the baby:
Low birth weight Premature birth
The seriousness of the complications necessitates early diagnosis and treatment of pneumonia during pregnancy.
Diagnosis Of Pneumonia During Pregnancy
Before coming up with treatment options, your doctor might (8):
Assess your symptoms and health history Examine your lungs using a stethoscope Take chest x-ray Collect the sputum sample (phlegm or spit)
If the pneumonia is mild, the doctor might prescribe some antibiotics and suggest you take rest at home. But if the infection is severe, they might recommend hospital treatment.
Treatment Of Pneumonia During Pregnancy
Your healthcare provider will advise a course of medication that could steadily alleviate your symptoms. Antibiotics are given for bacterial pneumonia and antiviral medications for early-stage viral pneumonia (9).
Mild pneumonia can be treated at home with enough sleep, fluids, and prescribed medications. If you have severe symptoms, you might be given intravenous fluids and antibiotics through a drip, and also oxygen for breathing normally. You may need hospital admission in this condition. In the case of severe pneumonia, you may be kept in the intensive care unit (ICU) and might require breathing assistance.
Irrespective of the type of infection, you may be advised to have:
Respiratory therapy to ease breathing difficulties Oxygen therapy if the oxygen levels drop Nebulization and inhalers to reduce signs of wheezing and shortness of breath Over-the-counter pain relievers such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) for fever and pain
Is It Possible To Prevent Pneumonia During Pregnancy?
Though you cannot prevent all types of pneumonia, you can take steps to lower the chances of contracting the infection by taking the following measures:
Avoid physical contact with those having a cold, flu, or other infections Exercise regularly (that helps build immunity) Practice good hygiene Eat healthily and get adequate sleep Quit smoking Avoid places susceptible to bacteria, viral, and fungal pathogens
