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Ask early; recommendations change

Infections, exposure and vaccinations

Pregnancy can change the importance of some infections and vaccines. The useful baseline is good hygiene, a current vaccine record and prompt pregnancy-specific advice after a significant exposure or illness.

27 direct answersUpdated July 2026General pregnancy guidance

The practical baseline

Do, don’t and check first

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Do

  • Bring your vaccine record to pregnancy care and ask which current or seasonal vaccines are recommended where you live.
  • Wash hands after contact with body fluids, animal waste, soil, raw food and shared items used by someone who is ill.
  • Follow workplace infection controls carefully in health care, childcare, laboratories, veterinary work and similar settings.
  • Contact pregnancy care after a significant exposure to a contagious illness or when a new feverish or rash illness develops.

Don’t

  • Do not assume every vaccine is either required or forbidden in pregnancy; the exact vaccine, timing and exposure matter.
  • Do not receive a travel or catch-up vaccine without telling the vaccinating clinician that you are pregnant.
  • Do not rely on a mask, supplement or home remedy alone after an exposure that needs professional advice.
  • Do not ignore an infection-control concern at work because colleagues have handled the same task while pregnant.

Check first

  • Ask which vaccines are recommended during this pregnancy and when they should be given under current local guidance.
  • Ask promptly after exposure to chickenpox, measles, rubella or another infection your care team has highlighted.
  • Ask for an individual work plan when repeated infectious exposure is part of your job or training.

Concrete starting points

Everyday examples

These short examples establish the topic baseline. Use the answer library below for deeper guidance and individual care thresholds.

  • Check firstA routine or seasonal vaccine appointmentConfirm the exact vaccine and timing with a clinician using current pregnancy guidance for your location.
  • Generally okayOrdinary contact with someone who has a coldUse hand hygiene, ventilation and sensible distance; ask for advice if you become significantly unwell.
  • Check firstExposure to chickenpox, measles or rubellaContact pregnancy care promptly and explain the illness, timing, closeness of contact and what you know about immunity.
  • Check firstTravel vaccine or live vaccinePregnancy recommendations differ by vaccine and exposure; do not make the decision from a generic list.
  • AvoidIgnoring a significant exposure until the next routine visitDo not wait when pregnancy care has advised prompt contact after that infection or exposure.

Complete topic collection

27 direct answers

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27 permanent answersin Infections, exposure and vaccinations

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Showing 22 of 22 matching answers

  1. Infections, exposure and vaccinations · Infection or vaccineChickenpox or shingles exposureIf you develop a blistering rash or have significant chickenpox or shingles exposure and do not know you are immune, seek same-day maternity advice.Contact careCheck with your care team
  2. Infections, exposure and vaccinations · Infection or vaccineCMV exposure and hygienePeople working with or caring for young children can reduce CMV exposure by careful handwashing and not sharing food, cups, cutlery or toothbrushes.Check firstCheck with your care team
  3. Infections, exposure and vaccinations · Infection or vaccineFlu, COVID-19 and respiratory illnessPregnancy changes the response to respiratory illness; ask promptly about testing, treatment timing and vaccines recommended for you.Contact careCheck with your care team
  4. Infections, exposure and vaccinations · Infection or vaccineFood recall or outbreak exposureThe useful next step depends on the named pathogen, product, batch, amount, date and symptoms—not every recall requires the same test or treatment.Contact careCheck with your care team
  5. Infections, exposure and vaccinations · Infection or vaccineGenital herpes or a new genital soreTell your maternity team promptly about a first genital herpes episode, a new sore, or a partner with an active outbreak because timing affects care planning.Contact careCheck with your care team
  6. Infections, exposure and vaccinations · Infection or vaccineHand, foot and mouth disease exposureAfter a close exposure, timing, symptoms and pregnancy week matter more than the name of the childcare outbreak alone.Contact careCheck with your care team
  7. Infections, exposure and vaccinations · Infection or vaccineHIV, hepatitis B and blood-borne infection testingEarly testing allows treatment and birth or newborn plans that can greatly reduce transmission; a result is private health information, not a moral judgement.Check firstCheck with your care team
  8. Infections, exposure and vaccinations · Infection or vaccineListeria concern after recalled foodEating a recalled food does not by itself diagnose infection, but fever or flu-like illness after a relevant exposure needs prompt pregnancy-specific advice.Contact careCheck with your care team
  9. Infections, exposure and vaccinations · Infection or vaccineMosquito bites with fever or illness after travelFever or significant illness after travel to a mosquito-borne disease area needs urgent assessment with destination and dates.Urgent helpUrgent help
  10. Infections, exposure and vaccinations · Infection or vaccineNorovirus or vomiting illness in the householdThe main immediate risk from a vomiting and diarrhoea illness is often dehydration, while cleaning and food handling affect spread to others.Contact careCheck with your care team
  11. Infections, exposure and vaccinations · Infection or vaccineParvovirus B19 or slapped-cheek exposureContact your maternity clinician after close parvovirus B19 exposure or a compatible rash or illness; testing and follow-up may be considered.Contact careCheck with your care team
  12. Infections, exposure and vaccinations · Infection or vaccineRSV exposure, illness and pregnancy vaccinationRespiratory syncytial virus can resemble another respiratory infection; vaccine timing and availability depend on season, pregnancy week and local guidance.Contact careCheck with your care team
  13. Infections, exposure and vaccinations · Infection or vaccineRubella or measles exposureKnown exposure to measles or rubella, or a fever-and-rash illness, needs prompt advice with your vaccination and immunity history.Contact careCheck with your care team
  14. Infections, exposure and vaccinations · Infection or vaccineSyphilis and hepatitis C screeningPrenatal infection screening identifies conditions that may have no symptoms but can change treatment and newborn planning.Check firstCheck with your care team
  15. Infections, exposure and vaccinations · Infection or vaccineTick bite and Lyme disease concernA tick bite should be assessed by species or region, attachment, removal timing, rash and symptoms rather than treated from a photo alone.Contact careCheck with your care team
  16. Infections, exposure and vaccinations · Infection or vaccineToxoplasmosis, cat litter and soilReduce toxoplasmosis exposure by avoiding undercooked meat, washing produce and hands, wearing gardening gloves and having someone else handle cat litter when possible.Check firstCheck with your care team
  17. Infections, exposure and vaccinations · Infection or vaccineTuberculosis exposure or screeningA TB exposure, positive screening test and active TB symptoms are different situations that require public-health and maternity coordination.Contact careCheck with your care team
  18. Infections, exposure and vaccinations · Infection or vaccineWhooping cough exposure or persistent coughing fitsA close pertussis exposure or prolonged coughing illness needs prompt review because testing, preventive treatment and vaccination are separate decisions.Contact careCheck with your care team
  19. Infections, exposure and vaccinations · Infection or vaccineCold sores and oral herpesAn ordinary recurrent cold sore differs from a first herpes illness or genital lesion, and newborn contact precautions become important around birth.Contact careCheck with your care team
  20. Infections, exposure and vaccinations · Infection or vaccineGenital warts and HPVHPV, visible warts and an abnormal cervical screen are related but not interchangeable, and pregnancy can change which treatments or follow-up are suitable.Contact careCheck with your care team
  21. Infections, exposure and vaccinations · Infection or vaccineScabies, ringworm or contagious skin infectionContagious rashes need the correct diagnosis because household treatment, cleaning and pregnancy-compatible medicines differ.Contact careCheck with your care team
  22. Infections, exposure and vaccinations · Infection or vaccineStrep throat, tonsillitis and antibioticsA severe sore throat can be viral, bacterial or another infection, and antibiotic choice should follow examination or testing rather than leftovers.Contact careCheck with your care team

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