Is pneumococcal disease in the second trimester of pregnancy risky?

Question

Hello doctor,

My sister is a 28-year-old pregnant woman. In her second trimester, she presented with a cough, fever, and pleuritic chest pain. She is diagnosed with pneumococcal pneumonia. How does pregnancy affect the severity and treatment of pneumococcal disease? What precautions should be taken when prescribing antibiotics to pregnant women, and what are the risks of pneumococcal infections during pregnancy?

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

Antibiotics are not completely safe in pregnancy, but the second trimester is the safest. In this case, the use of antibiotics is mandatory and the benefit outweighs the risk of not giving. Once the fever stops recurring and symptoms improve, the patient will start feeling better.

Pregnancy is a low immunity state, and this infection might further decrease the immunity, so make sure that the nutritional needs of the body are fulfilled and proper rest is taken during this time. Kindly follow up with blood reports and body temperature charting every 8 hours so that I can advise you further on the treatment course. This response is given with the understanding that pregnancy is not high-risk.

Kindly consult a specialist doctor, talk with them, and take medications with their consent.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.