Influenza (Avian and other zoonotic)
What To Know About RSV And Pregnancy
RSV is a respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. You may be at a higher risk of serious illness from RSV during pregnancy. An RSV vaccine during pregnancy can protect you and your baby.
Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, is a common respiratory virus. It's mostly known for causing mild, cold-like symptoms, with many recovering within 1–2 weeks.
But RSV can cause serious illness in some people, including infants, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems.
Some people may also be at a higher risk of RSV-related complications during pregnancy. Severe illness may cause health risks to a pregnant person and their baby. Here's what you need to know about RSV and pregnancy.
Learn more about RSV.
Most healthy adults who develop RSV have mild symptoms and recover without any treatment. Some don't experience any symptoms at all.
A 2018 research article suggests that you may have an increased risk of developing severe RSV symptoms during pregnancy due to reduced heart and lung capacity.
Research from 2020 outlined several RSV-related complications that can occur during pregnancy, including:
Preeclampsia, a serious type of high blood pressure that can develop during pregnancy, was another noted possible complication of RSV.
This doesn't mean that every pregnant person who gets RSV will have a severe case. But being aware of these and other risks can better prepare you and your loved ones.
You may also be at a higher risk of severe RSV during pregnancy if you have a preexisting lung disease, such as asthma.
The symptoms of RSV during pregnancy are similar to those seen in older adults and children. Most commonly, the symptoms are like a seasonal cold virus.
Mild cases can cause:
In more serious cases, RSV can cause shortness of breath and other severe breathing problems.
If you're concerned about possible RSV during pregnancy, contact your doctor. They may want to see you if your symptoms are worsening or if you have an underlying medical condition that puts you at a higher risk of complications, such as asthma.
While some viruses may increase the risk of miscarriage, RSV isn't thought to be one of them.
A 2022 research review found that RSV could cause severe illness in some during pregnancy, but no miscarriages were found.
Still, more research is needed to confirm whether RSV can increase miscarriage risks, and if so in whom.
RSV is typically transmitted via air droplets and through direct contact with people who have the virus.
While you can get RSV the same way while pregnant, the virus can also pass to your fetus through the placenta. This is similar to other viruses that get into the bloodstream and pass into the placenta when pregnant.
Babies who are born with exposure to RSV are more likely to have lower birth weights. According to a 2022 review of research, babies who were exposed to RSV during pregnancy were also more likely to develop lung disease later in childhood.
RSV may increase the risk of early labor and preterm delivery in some people. A preterm birth is defined as a baby being born before 37 weeks gestation.
Not only can early labor lead to a preterm birth, but babies who are born too early may also be at an increased risk of severe cases of RSV. Other risks include:
Aside from trying to stay away from others who may have RSV, as well as frequent handwashing, the best way to prevent RSV during pregnancy is to get vaccinated.
If you get RSV while pregnant, treatment typically involves rest and drinking plenty of fluids. Antiviral medications aren't typically prescribed for mild RSV. However, children 8–19 months old may be given monoclonal antibodies to help prevent severe RSV.
You can get an RSV vaccination if you are pregnant. In August 2023, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved an RSV vaccine during pregnancy at 32–36 weeks of gestation. The main goal of this vaccine is to help prevent severe RSV in infants 0–6 months of age.
Do RSV antibodies pass to fetus?According to the CDC, antibodies from a pregnant person who has had the RSV vaccine pass to their fetus starting two weeks after they have the RSV vaccine. Those antibodies help protect the baby from getting RSV at birth which is a high risk time for infants.
Can I breastfeed if I have RSV?Yes, but be sure to practice prevention methods like covering your mouth when you cough and sneeze and washing your hands frequently. A 2023 review of studies found that nursing is associated with fewer RSV infections and less severe RSV infections in infants.
When should you go to the ER for RSV?Seek emergency care for RAV if you have:
While more research is needed on the specific effects of RSV during pregnancy, current research suggests that this virus may increase the risk of serious illness and complications during pregnancy.
Additionally, you may pass the RSV virus to a fetus, which can lead to complications after birth.
Despite the risks, there are steps you can take to help protect you and your baby from RSV. This includes the possibility of vaccination during the third trimester.
Consider talking with a doctor about this option and other steps you can take to help prevent severe RSV.
COVID-19 And The Flu At The Same Time? What To Know About 'flurona'
While rates of COVID-19 remain high across the country, flu clusters are beginning to pop up as well. And with both illnesses spreading, the possibility of getting a co-infection involving both of them — nicknamed "flurona" — is also becoming more of a possibility.
In fact, a woman was released from an Israeli hospital just this week after being infected with both COVID-19 and the flu. Although she had mild symptoms, she was pregnant and unvaccinated, according to a report in the Times of Israel. And co-infections like these have been reported in the U.S. As early as spring 2020.
Thankfully, the risk of developing infections like these is rare. But the possibility is all the more reason to protect yourself — from both viruses.
The omicron surge continues while the flu is picking up steam."COVID rates have never been worse in our area and for much of the country," Dr. Costi Sifri, director of hospital epidemiology at UVA Health, told TODAY.
That's largely fueled by the emergence of the omicron variant on top of delta COVID-19 cases that were already spreading, Eili Klein, associate professor in the department of emergency medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, told TODAY.
"If you add the prospect of flu to the mix, that can only exacerbate what is already a very, very challenging situation in health care particularly for us in general," Sifri said.
While the last flu season was mild, some states are seeing rising rates of influenza right now while others aren't, which is unusual in a different way, Klein explained. "Normally this is actually the peak where much of the country is starting to see high rates of flu," he said, noting that behavioral changes in response to rising COVID-19 cases — wearing masks again, avoiding crowds — might be helping to prevent the spread of flu in some areas.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, certain areas of the country are seeing more transmission than others. States such as New Jersey, Georgia and North Dakota are experiencing very high levels of flu-like illness as of the week ending Dec. 25, according to the most recent CDC data available. Virginia, New York, South Carolina and Florida are also seeing high amounts of transmission right now.
Hospitalizations due to flu are increasing as well, the CDC said.
Rather than a "twindemic" of both COVID-19 and flu cases peaking at the same time, Klein expects to see the current omicron-fueled wave subside and a subsequent peak of flu cases in the coming weeks.
Can you get COVID-19 and the flu at the same time?Yes, it is possible to become infected with both viruses at the same time, the experts said.
But, to be clear, that does not mean that the viruses are somehow combining in your body to become one superinfection. A "flurona" infection is simply having both individual viruses at the same time.
So far, co-infections like these have been rare, Klein explained. And experts don't know enough yet to say whether or not having both infections at once necessarily means you'll have more severe symptoms.
Testing presents challenges for monitoring co-infections"The problem is always that it's actually somewhat difficult to determine if it's a true co-infection," Klein said.
For one thing, some people may test positive for COVID-19 on PCR tests long after they actually have the infection — sometimes for weeks or months. So someone who tests positive for COVID-19 and the flu might have actually already recovered from COVID-19 and just have the flu, Sifri said. "It's something that we may end up seeing and having a challenging time sorting out."
That scenario is most likely to happen if you get tested at a hospital, where PCR samples are routinely tested for multiple viral illnesses at once. Outside of a hospital, those types of panels are rare because they tend to be more expensive, Klein said.
In other medical settings, there may not be the capacity for that type of testing and, therefore, it may be harder to pick up co-infections. Doing a rapid antigen test, for instance, requires you to test for one virus at a time. So if you present with flu-like symptoms and test positive for COVID-19, your doctor may not necessarily decide to test you for something else on top of that.
In many cases, deciding which infections to test you for comes down to your health care provider's discretion. They'll take your specific combination of symptoms into account as well as information about what illnesses are circulating in your local area. And if they know you're in a part of the country with flu and COVID-19 spiking right now, "a physician may make the decision to test for both," Sifri said.
What should you do if you get "flurona"?For people who are otherwise generally healthy, a flu and COVID-19 co-infection isn't necessarily going to be a severe one.
Consult with your health care provider and follow general home care advice for both illnesses, Sifri said. That includes staying hydrated, getting plenty of rest and managing any fever or body aches with over-the-counter pain medications. If you have any underlying factors that put you at a higher risk for severe symptoms of COVID-19 or the flu, your provider may prescribe an antiviral medication for flu or monoclonal antibodies for COVID-19.
Be sure to also follow public health guidelines for quarantining and keeping those around you safe. And, of course, if you experience severe symptoms such as trouble breathing or a high fever that isn't responding to medication, you should seek medical attention.
Signs And Symptoms Of Listeria Infection
Listeria infection, or listeriosis, is a serious but uncommon foodborne illness that develops after eating food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes bacteria. In otherwise healthy people, the infection causes flu-like symptoms such as diarrhea, fever, muscle pain, and headache within a few hours or up to three days after eating contaminated food.
Pregnant people, infants, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems are vulnerable to a more severe Listeria infection known as invasive listeriosis. In these high-risk groups, the bacteria can spread from the intestines into the bloodstream, affecting any body part, including the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms of invasive listeriosis can take three days to three months to develop and can include fever, muscle aches, confusion, stiff neck, balance problems, and seizures (convulsions).
Depending on the type and severity of listeriosis, symptoms can last for days to several weeks.
Design by Health
Listeria infections are rare in healthy, non-pregnant people unless they ingest high amounts of Listeria bacteria in contaminated foods. Many people can consume small amounts of Listeria bacteria and not become ill. In those who develop noninvasive listeriosis, symptoms will begin within hours to three days after eating contaminated foods—usually within 24 hours—and last 1 to 3 days. Noninvasive listeriosis (febrile listerial gastroenteritis) affects the gastrointestinal (GI) system and usually causes mild symptoms that resolve without treatment. Symptoms can include: Diarrhea (loose, watery stools) Fever Chills Headache Myalgia (muscle aches) Abdominal pain Nausea and vomiting In rare cases, febrile listeria gastroenteritis (noninvasive listeriosis) can progress to invasive listeriosis, especially in high-risk groups (e.G., older adults). Invasive listeriosis occurs when the Listeria bacteria spread beyond the intestines and into the bloodstream, where the bacteria can travel to and affect the brain, meninges (membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord), and other organs. Older adults, pregnant people, and people with chronic diseases or weakened immune systems—including those with HIV, diabetes, and cancer—are more likely to develop invasive listeriosis. Symptoms of invasive listeriosis can take up to two months to develop but usually appear within several days after eating contaminated foods. Symptoms can be severe and may include: Fever Muscle aches Fatigue Severe headache Confusion Stiff neck Loss of balance Vomiting Seizures Symptoms of invasive listeriosis can vary, depending on which body system or organ the infection affects. Listeria infection can affect the brain, meninges, heart, bloodstream, and lungs. Meningitis: Develops when Listeria bacteria affect the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord (meninges). Symptoms include fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, and confusion. Encephalitis: Inflammation of the brain from Listeria infection causes symptoms like sudden fever, severe headache, vomiting, confusion, drowsiness, and seizures. Endocarditis: When Listeria bacteria travel to the heart, endocarditis—inflammation of the lining of the heart's valves and chambers—can cause symptoms such as fever and chills, chest pain, joint, muscle, and back pain, night sweats, shortness of breath, skin changes, and cough. Pneumonia: Listeria that affects the lungs can cause pneumonia, leading to symptoms such as fever, cough (with mucus), chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Bacteremia: When Listeria enters the bloodstream (bacteremia), symptoms such as rapid breathing, shaking chills, fever, altered consciousness (confusion), low blood pressure, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting can occur. Pregnant people are ten times more likely than others to get listeriosis. The infection poses a serious threat to the health of fetuses, increasing the risk of miscarriage, preterm delivery, stillbirth, and life-threatening illness in newborns. Symptoms of Listeria infection are generally mild in pregnant people, and some have no symptoms at all. When symptoms occur, they are flu-like and can include: Fever Chills Muscle aches Joint pain Fatigue Diarrhea Upset stomach Headache Listeria infections can affect fetuses and newborns when a pregnant parent passes the infection onto their baby before, during, or after birth. Listeriosis is a serious illness in newborns. It is categorized into two types, depending on when symptoms first appear: Early onset: Symptoms appear within the first hours or days after birth. Delayed (late) onset: Symptoms develop within one to several weeks after birth. Symptoms of listeriosis in infants can include: Listlessness (e.G., sluggish, drowsiness, sleepy) Vomiting Jaundice (yellow-tinted eyes and skin) Skin rash Breathing problems (e.G., rapid breathing, grunting) Poor appetite Listeria infections are rare in the United States but can cause serious illness. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends people contact their healthcare provider if both of the following apply: You ate food linked to a Listeria outbreak or the food has been recalled, AND You develop symptoms of listeriosis, such as fever, fatigue, muscle aches, and diarrhea If you belong to a high-risk group (are pregnant, 65 years or older, or have a weakened immune system), it is especially important to seek immediate medical attention if you suspect you may have listeriosis. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent life-threatening complications. Seek immediate medical care if you experience symptoms of invasive listeriosis, including: Stiff neck Loss of balance Confusion or changes in mental status Seizures Severe headache Listeria infection, or listeriosis, is an uncommon foodborne illness. Listeriosis can cause gastrointestinal illness and symptoms like fever, diarrhea, muscle aches, and vomiting in otherwise healthy people. Listeriosis can pose serious risks for pregnant people and their unborn babies, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems. When Listeria bacteria enter the bloodstream, they can invade and affect the brain, spinal cord, heart, and other body systems and organs, causing symptoms like severe headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and seizures. Contact your healthcare provider if you develop symptoms of listeriosis or have concerns about food you recently ate that may have been contaminated with Listeria bacteria.Thanks for your feedback!
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