HSE issue urgent warning for thousands of pregnant women over deadly illness

THE HSE has issued a stark warning to Irish pregnant women over a “life-threatening” illness that can hide behind any infection.

The alert highlights the risks of maternal sepsis on pregnant women.

Maternal sepsis is “life-threatening” and usually develops during pregnancy or up to six weeks after the birth, a miscarriage or an abortion.

The illness is rare but still can pose a threat to pregnant women if they have an infection as it develops behind any type of infection.

It can be hiding behind common infections during and after pregnancy, including breast infection, womb infection and pelvic infection.

Pregnant women are prone to becoming unwell due to an infection during the pregnancy as the immune system changes throughout the trimester.

If they are currently unwell or have an infection, they are urged to contact their GP, midwife or doctor.

They may be at extra risk of sepsis if you are pregnant and:

• have had a cervical cerclage (stitch in the cervix to prevent miscarriage)
• you have had an amniocentesis (a test to take fluid from around the fetus)
• you have had a recent pelvic infection
• your waters have broken early or longer than 24 hours ago
• part of the placenta or membranes remain in the womb after delivery
• you’ve been in close contact with someone who has or recently had strep throat – Group A Strep can be a danger to pregnant women
• had recent surgery
• had a caesarean birth or an assisted vaginal birth
• have an existing medical condition or any of the other factors that can put you at higher risk of sepsis

The HSE has shared some key advice that pregnant women can do to help prevent infections that can lead to sepsis.

They are encouraged to wash their hands regularly and keep themselves clean to prevent the spread of germs.

They should keep their home clean, mainly the bathrooms and change the sanitary pads frequently.

Make sure to clean and tend any wounds as untreated wounds are more likely to catch an infection.

Contact the GP, doctor or midwife urgently if you have been in close contact with someone who has strep throat and you feel unwell after the encounter.

They urged all pregnant women not to ignore the symptoms of sepsis, not to delay getting medical help if unwell and not to touch their face, nose and eyes unless their hands have been washed properly.

SIGNS OF MATERNAL SEPSIS

There are 11 signs of maternal sepsis during and after pregnancy – and anyone experiencing the symptoms below should attend A&E. They are:

• acting confused, slurring their speech, not making sense or not their usual self
• difficulty breathing, breathlessness or breathing very fast
• feel pounding in their chest
• their hands or feet feel cold, clammy and pale
• feels dizzy, faint or loses consciousness
• not peeing as much as normal – for example, not peeing for a day
• a rash that does not fade when you roll a glass over it, in the same way you check for meningitis
• severe muscle pain
• have severe leg pain or difficulty standing
• are extremely unwell or feel like there’s something seriously wrong
• are taking antibiotics for an infection and are not getting any better

You may not have all of these symptoms but if you have one of the signs you should seek medical treatment.

For more information about the Norovirus, more details can be found on HSE.ie.