Health News Desk, Pneumonia is a lung infection, which sometimes becomes fatal. Dr. Apoorva Gupta, Obstetrician and Gynecologist at Daffodils by Artemis (East of Kailash) says that the risk of pneumonia infection in pregnant women remains the same as that of other women, but due to infection during pregnancy, the condition of the woman is worse. There remains a risk of becoming serious. This is because the body undergoes many changes during pregnancy, due to which the immunity remains relatively weak. This condition is known as maternal pneumonia. In such a situation, it is important to take preventive steps by paying attention to its risk factors and symptoms.
The risk increases in these situations
During pregnancy, most of the body’s energy is used to protect the baby in the womb, due to which the immune system becomes weak. Apart from this, due to the increasing size of the baby and the uterus, the lung capacity is affected. In such a situation, infection with some bacteria or virus can become serious and cause pneumonia. Apart from these, the risk of pneumonia also increases due to tobacco consumption during pregnancy, anemia, asthma or any other disease for a long time.
When are mother and child in danger?
Pneumonia during pregnancy is a threat to the health of both mother and child. Due to maternal pneumonia, the amount of oxygen in the body starts decreasing. Due to this, not only the mother but also the child in the womb does not get full supply of oxygen, which hinders its development. On the other hand, the root cause of the infection also remains at risk of spreading through the body through the blood. This can lead to problems like premature delivery or low birth weight of the baby. If the child becomes victim of infection, his development may be hampered after birth.
Keep an eye on these symptoms
Its symptoms are frequent cough, phlegm formation, shortness of breath, fever, blocked nose etc. If any symptoms persist for a long time and there is no relief from normal treatment, then a doctor should be consulted and tested for pneumonia. With timely investigation, the problem is detected and treatment becomes possible. Pneumonia caused by both bacteria and viruses can be treated with some antibiotics and antiviral therapy. If timely treatment is received, both mother and child remain safe from danger.