Active lesions prevent breast-feeding<\/p>\n
Question:<\/p>\n
Dear Doctor,<\/p>\n
I read your recent article in The Jakarta Post and I'm very
\nimpressed with what you have written.<\/p>\n
I have a question to ask.<\/p>\n
I am seven months pregnant and a recent blood test revealed
\nthat I have an infection called herpes in my system. Where
\nexactly, I don't know. My doctor says he cannot give me medical
\naid because I am expecting a baby. I want to know whether I can
\nbreast-feed my baby if another blood test taken after giving
\nbirth shows that the infection is still there. And, if according
\nto the blood test the infection is no longer there, what
\nprecautions or medicines I should take to make sure that I no
\nlonger have the infection? I would be grateful for your reply.<\/p>\n
Thank you and regards,<\/p>\n
Isha<\/p>\n
Answer:<\/p>\n
Dear Isha,<\/p>\n
YES you can breast-feed your baby unless there are active
\nlesions on the breast. This would be a small cluster of painful
\nblisters, like boils, that easily break and spread the virus.
\nAbout the blood test, I am sorry to tell you that once you have
\nthe herpes virus in your nervous system, you will always be a
\ncarrier of the virus.<\/p>\n
There are two types of herpes virus. One, which is located
\nabove the waist in areas such as the mouth, lips and breast, is
\nknown as Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1(HSV-1). The other is
\ntypically located in the genitalia and is known as HSV-2.<\/p>\n
As you are a pregnant woman, your nervous system is under a
\nlot of strain and the risk of active lesions appearing during
\nyour pregnancy is high. Consequently I would recommend that you
\nkeep a close watch for any type of lesions and ask your doctor
\nfor assistance.<\/p>\n
Once your baby is born take extra care in protecting him from
\nexposure to any open lesions. If you find that you have HSV1,
\nsimply use a mask and keep your hands clean. Typically, the
\nhighest rate of infection in infants is between the ages of one
\nto three years due to exposure to respiratory droplets or
\ninfected secretion. The medicine that is available for herpes
\ntreatment is, as your doctor said, not recommended for pregnant
\nwomen and it is only good for reducing the time that the lesions
\nare present. It does not prevent lesions from occurring. Because
\nthe virus is latent (sleeping) you can never be sure it will not
\nbecome active, consequently part of your personal care routine
\nmust now be to examine yourself for any signs of active lesions.<\/p>\n
Some of the known stimulants which activate herpes are stress,
\ninjury, ultra violet light, and immunosuppression (weak
\nimmunity). Thank you and take care.<\/p>\n
Dr. Donya<\/p>\n
Question:<\/p>\n
Dear Dr. Donya,<\/p>\n
I am French, 27, have no children but currently I am three
\nweeks pregnant. My questions are:<\/p>\n
1. I have cats at home and through what I read on the Web, I
\nshould be vaccinated against toxoplasmosis. However, the hospital
\nI contacted in Denpasar does not have the vaccine. The doctor
\ntold me on the phone to get an injection of \"tetanos-plasmo\"
\nbecause it is the same. Is the doctor right?<\/p>\n
I now avoid touching my cat. I no longer allow her into my
\nbedroom or onto my bed. Am I right to do so? Can I still take her
\ninto my arms and cuddle her as before?<\/p>\n
2. What other shots should I have?<\/p>\n
3. Can I use homeopathic medicines (when I have a sore throat
\nor flu symptoms)?<\/p>\n
4. Can I go to the dentist to have a crown put on one of my
\nteeth? Is there any risk regarding the anesthetic gas?<\/p>\n
5. I go to work by motorbike. When do you think I should stop
\nriding a motorbike? If I have to stop riding a motorbike, can I
\nstill ride a car? I work six days a week.<\/p>\n
6 I will go back to France to give birth. What month of
\npregnancy is the limit for such a trip?<\/p>\n
7 My last question is about a good and reliable gynecologist-
\nobstetrician in Bali. When should I consult one? I am worried a
\nbit about the examination (can you tell me what the doctor will
\ndo?). Thank you.<\/p>\n
Sandie<\/p>\n
Tampaksiring, Bali<\/p>\n
Answer:<\/p>\n
Dear Sandie,<\/p>\n
You are right to use caution with the handling of your cats.
\nToxoplasmosis is an infection caused by the protozoan parasite.
\nHumans becomes infected by ingesting the parasite (cyst) that
\nexists in meat or by ingesting the resistant stage (eggs)
\nexcreted in cat feces.<\/p>\n
There is no vaccine to control toxoplasmosis in humans. There
\nis a toxoplasmosis vaccine, but studies show only its
\neffectiveness in pigs and lambs. If you have contact with cats
\nyou can check your blood by a method called \"serologic tests\" for
\ntoxoplasmosis. If the test is negative or unknown the best things
\nto do are:<\/p>\n
* Avoid activities that expose you to cat feces, such as
\nchanging litter boxes, gardening and landscaping, or wear gloves
\nif you want to do these activities.<\/p>\n
* The daily changing of your cat's litter box will decrease
\nthe chance of infection because the oocyst (eggs) are not
\ninfected during the first one to two days after passage and are
\ndestroyed by being placed in near-boiling water for five minutes.<\/p>\n
* Feed your cat a commercial cat food and prevent it from
\neating undercooked kitchen and hunting rodents.<\/p>\n
* Avoid food contaminated with oocyst by eating cooked or
\nsmoked meats, washing fruits and vegetables, cleaning kitchen
\nsurfaces after handling fruits, vegetables and\/or raw meats.<\/p>\n
The only vaccine recommended for pregnant woman in Asian
\ncountries is tetanus, which prevents a tetanus infection during
\ndelivery from contaminated equipment. But if you are sure that
\nthe hospital equipment is sterile you may not want the vaccine.<\/p>\n
The tetanus vaccine involves two shots (with a one-month
\ninterval between shots), and the best time to get vaccinated is
\nbetween three months and eight months of pregnancy.<\/p>\n
As for flues and soar throats, try drinking plenty of warm
\nwater or a hot lemon drink, and rest as much as possible; you may
\nget past it without having to take any form of chemical
\nmedication.<\/p>\n
About homeopathic medicine, I cannot say one way or the other
\nas I have no knowledge on this subject.<\/p>\n
Typically, there is no problem with the dentist, but do your
\nbest to avoid systemic anesthetic gas. Regarding transportation,
\nit is always safer in a car rather than on a motorbike. If the
\nfetus is healthy he will be strong and your womb is the best
\nprotection.<\/p>\n
Most airlines have a policy that you must fly before 34 weeks
\nof pregnancy.<\/p>\n
Once you know you are pregnant, you should start prenatal care
\nimmediately. See an obstetrician, eat nutritious foods, get
\nplenty of rest, use precaution with medications and do not smoke
\nany form of tobacco or drink alcohol. Normally during your
\ninitial exam you will be asked some questions about your
\nmenstruation dates, history of previous pregnancy and children,
\nmedical history and any allergies you have, then the doctor will
\ndo a complete physical examination and may administer another
\npregnancy test. The pelvic examination depends on the doctor; if
\nyou do not want one you can discuss this with your doctor. Take
\ncare and I am happy to help you.<\/p>\n
Dr. Donya<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/active-lesions-prevent-breast-feeding-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }