Contact with people with a contagious disease

During pregnancy, you may come into contact with people, especially children, who have contagious diseases. For healthy adults and children, many of these diseases will go undetected or have no serious consequences. However, they can affect you, your pregnancy, or the fetus.

If you feel sick or have any physical signs suggesting that you may have caught one of these diseases, see a doctor promptly. As a precautionary measure, inform the healthcare facility before you arrive.

If you don’t feel sick but you think you have been in contact with someone who has a contagious disease, read the next pages for some advice.

COVID-19

If you think you have been in contact with someone who has COVID-19 and have questions, call Info-Santé (8-1-1).

Pertussis (whooping cough)

If you’ve been in contact with someone who has pertussis (whooping cough) in the 4 weeks before your due date, contact your prenatal care team.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV)

CMV can cause a number of problems in unborn children. It is mainly transmitted by young children, even if they don’t appear to be sick. You can reduce the risk of infection by following the guidelines on page Preventing infections. For more information, visit https://cmvcanada.com/.

Fifth disease (also known as erythema infectiosum or parvovirus B19 infection)

About half of the adults in North America contracted fifth disease in their youth, which protects them against reinfection later in life. If you contract fifth disease and you are unprotected, there is a chance the fetus may become infected. In rare cases, a miscarriage may occur as a result of this infection.

The risk of complications is greatest before 20 weeks of pregnancy. The risk is much lower afterwards. If you come into contact with someone with fifth disease, talk to your prenatal care team. They will be able to assess your situation.

Rubella (German measles)

Thanks to vaccination, rubella is very rare in Québec. If contracted, however, rubella can cause complications for the pregnancy and the fetus. If you think you have been in contact with someone with the disease, see a doctor.

Measles

Measles is a highly contagious disease. Pregnant people with measles can have a more serious form of the disease. They are also at greater risk of miscarrying or not carrying their baby to term.

If you think you have measles or have been in contact with a person with measles, promptly call your prenatal care team, your CLSC, or Info-Santé (8-1-1) to have someone assess your situation.

Chickenpox

Thanks to vaccination, the population of Québec has little exposure to chickenpox. When chickenpox is contracted, it can cause complications for the mother and baby. Here is what you should do if you come into contact with a person with chickenpox:

• If you are vaccinated against chickenpox or have already had the disease, your baby is generally not at risk.
• If you are not vaccinated and have never had chickenpox (or aren’t sure if you have), see a doctor within 48 hours. They will be able to assess your situation.

Other contagious diseases

If you come into contact with a person with one of the following contagious diseases, there is no particular danger for your pregnancy or your baby: roseola, hand‑foot-mouth disease and scarlet fever. If needed, see a doctor.

If you are worried you had sexual relations that put you at risk of sexually transmitted infection (STI) during your pregnancy, don’t hesitate to tell your prenatal care team (see Vaginal swabs). STI screening is confidential.

At all times, Info-Santé (8-1-1) can advise you on what to do.