Chloe Ramirez
Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus. It is usually a childhood infection but can occur at any age. While chickenpox may not be as common as it once was, it can still be dangerous, especially for pregnant women and their babies. The best way to prevent the infection is to get vaccinated. However, is it safe for pregnant mothers to get the chickenpox vaccine?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Chickenpox vaccine for pregnant mothers | The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the CDC do not recommend getting live virus vaccines during pregnancy. |
| Chickenpox vaccine before pregnancy | The CDC recommends that all adults be assessed for immunity to chickenpox. If a blood test shows that you're not immune, it is recommended to get vaccinated before pregnancy. |
| Chickenpox vaccine after pregnancy | If you are already pregnant and not immune, it is recommended to get vaccinated after giving birth. |
| Chickenpox risks for pregnant women | Pregnant women are at risk of more serious complications, such as pneumonia, and can pass the virus to their babies, potentially causing birth defects. |
| Chickenpox risks for babies | Chickenpox during pregnancy can cause congenital varicella syndrome in babies, which includes symptoms such as an itchy rash that turns into blisters and then scabs. |
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What You'll Learn
Chickenpox can be dangerous for pregnant women and their babies
Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus. It usually occurs during childhood, but it can happen at any time in life. It is characterised by an itchy, blister-like rash that appears as small reddish spots or pimples, along with a fever and body aches. Although chickenpox is typically not dangerous in children, it can pose serious risks for pregnant women and their babies.
Pregnant women are at an increased risk of developing complications from chickenpox due to changes in their immune system, making them more susceptible to infections such as pneumonia. Additionally, if a pregnant woman contracts chickenpox, she can pass the virus to her unborn baby, which can lead to severe consequences. If a woman gets chickenpox during her first or early second trimester, there is a risk of birth defects associated with congenital varicella syndrome. In some cases, the baby may be born prematurely, facing an increased risk of complications and even death.
To protect themselves and their babies, pregnant women should ensure they are immune to chickenpox before or during early pregnancy. Most pregnant individuals are immune due to previous infection or vaccination. However, for those who are not immune, the varicella vaccine is recommended before pregnancy or after delivery. The vaccine is not considered safe during pregnancy due to potential concerns, although there is no proven link to increased miscarriage or birth defect rates.
If a pregnant woman is exposed to chickenpox and is not immune, she may receive the zoster immune globulin (ZIG) treatment within four days of exposure. Additionally, healthcare providers may treat newborns with medicine containing chickenpox antibodies if the mother had chickenpox right before or after giving birth. This treatment helps prevent or reduce the severity of chickenpox in the baby.
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Vaccination before pregnancy is recommended
Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus. It generally causes an itchy, blister-like rash, but pregnant women are at risk of more serious complications, such as pneumonia, as changes in the immune system during pregnancy make them more susceptible to infection. The best way to prevent getting the chickenpox infection is by getting the vaccine. The varicella vaccine is an injection that contains a live but weakened varicella virus. It is given in two doses, causing the body to make antibodies to the virus, protecting you from getting sick from it in the future.
While chickenpox may not be as common as it once was, it can still present a risk to pregnant women who have not had the virus or the vaccine. In 2021, a woman in Illinois contracted chickenpox early in her pregnancy and gave birth to a premature baby who died shortly after delivery. Chickenpox during pregnancy can also cause birth defects in the baby, known as congenital varicella syndrome. If a woman gets chickenpox in her first or early second trimester, there is a 1 in 50 chance for the baby to develop this set of birth defects.
Due to these risks, it is recommended that women get vaccinated before pregnancy. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the CDC do not recommend getting live virus vaccines during pregnancy. If you are thinking about having a baby, talk to your healthcare provider about getting the vaccine series at least three months before you start trying to conceive. This is the best way to protect yourself and your baby from chickenpox. If you are already pregnant and have not been vaccinated, it is recommended that you wait until after delivery to get the vaccine.
If you are unsure whether you have had chickenpox or the vaccine, you can get a blood test to determine whether you have antibodies to the varicella-zoster virus. If you are not immune, it is important to get vaccinated before pregnancy or take other precautions, such as staying away from anyone who has chickenpox or shingles, to protect yourself and your baby from the virus.
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Chickenpox can cause birth defects and pneumonia
Chickenpox is a highly contagious viral infection that usually occurs in childhood but can happen at any time in life. Although the clinical course is typically benign in children, adult populations with chickenpox typically experience complications at a rate of approximately 25 times that of the pediatric age group. Chickenpox is very serious in pregnant women, as it can cause birth defects and pneumonia.
Chickenpox can cause a pattern of birth defects called Congenital Varicella Syndrome (also called Varicella Embryopathy and Fetal Varicella Syndrome). About 1-2% of babies whose mothers had chickenpox in pregnancy have birth defects due to the mother's infection. The risk of birth defects is highest when a woman develops chickenpox between 8 and 20 weeks of pregnancy. Before 12 weeks, the risk is about 0.4%, and between 13 and 20 weeks, it is 2%. Ultrasounds can monitor the baby to determine if chickenpox is affecting its development and can show growth problems, limb defects, and brain problems. However, ultrasounds cannot detect all birth defects caused by chickenpox in pregnancy.
The effects of chickenpox on the fetus depend on the timing of the illness. If a woman develops chickenpox within 5 days before delivery or 2 days after delivery, there is a 20% chance the baby will develop chickenpox. The baby receives the virus but not the ready-made maternal antibodies.
Chickenpox pneumonia is a severe complication of chickenpox infection that primarily affects adults. It is estimated to occur in about 1 out of every 400 cases of chickenpox. The onset of pneumonia typically occurs 1-6 days after the onset of the chickenpox rash and is associated with an overall mortality rate of 10-30% without treatment. Risk factors for developing chickenpox pneumonia include smoking, pregnancy, immunocompromised status, and male gender.
Pregnant women who contract chickenpox are at risk of developing pneumonia, with a reported incidence of 9% in one study. If an "at-risk" pregnant woman (one with no antibodies) is exposed to chickenpox, she should contact her doctor immediately. Man-made antibodies called Varicella-Zoster Immune Globulin (VZIG) can be given to the woman within 4 days of exposure to reduce the severity of the disease. Early treatment with antiviral medications like acyclovir is essential to reducing long-term complications and decreasing mortality.
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Chickenpox is contagious and can be spread by close contact
Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). It is very contagious, meaning it can spread easily from person to person. The virus spreads from unvaccinated people with chickenpox to others who have never had the virus. Up to 90% of people who are not immune and are in close contact with someone with chickenpox will also get infected.
Chickenpox is contagious 1 to 2 days before the rash appears, until all blisters are dry and have scabbed over. The virus can be spread through direct contact with the virus. For example, you can get chickenpox if you touch a blister or the liquid from a blister. You can also get chickenpox if you touch the saliva of a person who has chickenpox. The virus enters the body through the nose or mouth and can make you sick. It can also be spread through the air if you are near someone with chickenpox who is coughing or sneezing.
Chickenpox can be spread by close contact with others who are sick. This includes being in the same room or house as someone with chickenpox. It is important to avoid close contact with others who are sick, wash your hands often, and stay home if you are sick to prevent the spread of chickenpox.
Pregnant women who have not had chickenpox or the vaccine are at risk of contracting the virus. Chickenpox can cause serious complications in pregnant women, such as pneumonia, and can also be passed to the baby. It may cause birth defects if contracted in the first or early second trimester. The best way to prevent chickenpox during pregnancy is to get the vaccine before pregnancy. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the CDC do not recommend getting live virus vaccines during pregnancy. However, healthcare providers may suggest getting the vaccine before pregnancy or after delivery to protect against chickenpox.
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Blood tests can determine immunity to chickenpox
Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus. It generally causes an itchy, blister-like rash. While chickenpox is less common than it once was, it can still be dangerous, especially for pregnant women and their babies.
Pregnant women are at risk of more serious complications, such as pneumonia, as changes in the immune system during pregnancy make them more susceptible to infection. They can also pass the virus to their babies, which can cause birth defects.
The best way to prevent chickenpox is by getting the vaccine. The varicella vaccine is given in two doses and causes the body to produce antibodies to the virus, protecting against future infection. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the CDC do not recommend getting live virus vaccines during pregnancy due to theoretical concerns.
Instead, for pregnant women who have not had chickenpox or the vaccine, healthcare providers may suggest a blood test to determine whether they have antibodies to the varicella-zoster virus. This is known as an antibody or immunity test and requires a blood sample drawn from a vein in the arm. The test detects the presence of immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies, which are produced in response to a VZV infection.
Several companies offer chickenpox immunity blood tests, including Labcorp and Superdrug. Results are typically available within one to two business days after the sample is collected. If a person tests positive, they are considered immune to chickenpox. If they test negative, it means they are not immune and may be at risk of infection. In this case, healthcare providers may recommend getting the chickenpox vaccine before pregnancy or after delivery to protect against future infection.
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Frequently asked questions
No, it is not recommended to get vaccinated during pregnancy. However, there is no evidence of specific safety concerns for the mother or the baby.
Yes, it is recommended to get vaccinated before planning a pregnancy. It is best to wait three months after the second dose of the vaccine before getting pregnant.
Chickenpox can cause serious health problems for pregnant women, including pneumonia. It can also cause birth defects in the baby, especially if contracted during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy.
If you are pregnant and have been exposed to chickenpox, seek medical advice immediately. A medicine called VZIG can be given within 96 hours of exposure to prevent or lessen the severity of the infection.
Yes, it is possible but rare to get chickenpox from someone who has been vaccinated. The vaccine is more than 90% effective at preventing chickenpox.
