Features of acute respiratory viral infections in pregnant women

Abstract

Background: The incidence of acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI) in pregnant women is of increased interest due to the wide prevalence, the emergence of new types of viruses and complications. We aimed to determine the clinical features of ARVI in pregnancy. Methods: 53 pregnant women (28.4±3.2 years) were clinically examined. 49% of them were the residents of rural areas, and 51% - urban. 7.5% were vaccinated with a quadrivalent influenza vaccine at the stage of pregnancy planning. Results: Acute upper respiratory tract infection was diagnosed in 30% women, including acute pharyngitis in 56%, acute nasopharyngitis in 31%, acute laryngitis and tracheitis in 12.5%. Acute lower respiratory tract infection was diagnosed in 62% of women, including acute bronchitis in 70% and pneumonia in 30%. The highest incidence of diseases was observed in January (30%) and February (32%). ARVI was diagnosed in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy with the same frequency (40%), in the 1st trimester in 21%. Microbiological examination revealed Streptococcus viridans (40%), Streptococcus pneumoniae (21%), Neisseria spp. (40%) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (4%). In 43%, 2 or more pathogens were verified in sputum cultures. Influenza A was detected in 2%, parainfluenza in 12%, rhinovirus in 8%, and adenovirus in 17%. The main symptoms were: cough (98%), fever (85%), weakness (70%), nasal congestion and rhinorrhea (58%), and sore throat (40%). Tachypnea and tachycardia were diagnosed in every fifth woman (21%), chest pain in 17%, headache in 11%, myalgia in 4%. Conclusion: ARVI in pregnancy are often complicated by bacterial infections of the lower (62%) and upper respiratory tract (30%) and have features of the clinical course.