How to avoid dangerous diseases during pregnancy.

December 30, 2003

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Smallpox

It's scary enough for anyone to hear about health dangers on the evening news.

But when you're pregnant and concerned for two -- yourself and your baby -- it

can be even more frightening. In some cases you are at greater risk for

contracting certain illnesses while you're expecting because your body's

immunity is lowered so you won't reject the baby growing inside you. Here's what

you need to know about how some recent health scares may affect you.

Latest news: Smallpox was wiped out worldwide 20 years ago, but experts fear the

contagious and often fatal disease could return thorough a biological terrorist

attack. In light of heightened fears because of a possible war with Iraq,

President Bush is expected to order the vaccination of 500,000 health workers

and 500,000 military personnel against smallpox. Later the vaccinations will be

broadened to other health-care workers and emergency responders, such as fire

fighters and police. Eventually the vaccine may be made available to all

Americans. (Routine smallpox vaccinations for children were ended in 1972 and

for military servicemen and women and in 1980s.)

Potential dangers: The smallpox vaccine itself is dangerous. It often causes

fever and sore, swollen arms, but in a few cases it leaves people scarred or

blinded. It can even cause death.

How it affects you: If you're pregnant, you're at a greater risk for serious

side effects from the smallpox vaccine and shouldn't receive it. Also if you're

breastfeeding, you should avoid getting it; the vaccine could be passed on to

the baby. The vaccine would only be advisable for pregnant or nursing women as a

method of treatment if they were exposed to the smallpox virus. Other people who

should not get the vaccine include those who suffer from eczema or other

allergic rashes (even if it's mild or was just a childhood condition) and those

with weakened immunity (e.g., due to treatment for cancer or being

HIV-positive).

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