Coronavirus pregnant women be alert

1. Coronavirus: Pregnant Women be Alert
Coronaviruses (CoV) are huge family of viruses that circulate among animals, like bats, cats and
camels. They may cause illness ranging from mild common cold to severe diseases like Severe
Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) in
humans. On 31 December 2019, the first report regarding the current outbreak of coronavirus
disease (COVID-19) came from Wuhan, China. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused
by a novel coronavirus that is different from the previously identified coronaviruses. The
patients suffering from COVID-19 require different evaluation and care than the patients with
common coronavirus diagnosis.
While the information about this novel coronavirus is still in the evolving stage but it seems that
it spreads from person-to-person. An actively sick patient of coronavirus can spread the illness
to others. That is why the actively ill coronavirus patients are isolated in special wards until they
recover to prevent spread of infection.
Susceptibility of pregnant women to coronavirus
Although there is no concrete information about the increased vulnerability of the pregnant
women to coronavirus but the immunological and physiological changes during pregnancy may
raise their susceptibility to viral respiratory infections, including COVID-19.
Also, as illnesses caused by other coronaviruses raises the risk for morbidity, mortality or severe
illness in pregnant woman as compared to the general population, it is likely that pregnant
woman can be affected similarly by COVID-19 too.
Similarly, there has been no specific information to confirm the adverse pregnancy outcomes in
pregnant women with COVID-19, but loss of pregnancy, including stillbirth and miscarriage was
observed in related coronavirus infections during pregnancy.
Considering all these, pregnant woman must take preventive measures to avoid infection and
stay away from the illness.
Preventive measures for pregnant woman (and general population)
 Wash hands as often as possible with soap and water for 20 seconds. This is especially
necessary after using washroom, blowing nose, coughing, sneezing and before eating.
 Alternatively, if soap or water is not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with
at least 60% alcohol.
 Completely avoid any direct or indirect contact with the infected person.
 Do not touch nose, eyes and mouth without washing your hands.
 If you feel sick, stay at home and do not go out in public places.
 Cover your nose and mouth while coughing and sneezing and throw the tissue in the
trash.
 Keep your surroundings clean and disinfect them with a disinfecting household cleaning
spray or wipe.

2.  Facemasks are usually not recommended for people who are well to protect themselves
from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19. Instead, facemasks should only be used
by infected patients who show symptoms of the COVID-19 so as to prevent the spread
of disease.
 Facemasks must also be used by healthcare workers and caretakers of infected persons.
As information related to the novel coronavirus and COVID-19 in pregnancy is very limited, it is
most important to stay protected and prevent any kind of exposure to infected patients with
confirmed or suspected COVID-19.
Prevention is the key to stay healthy during any disease outbreak.