I am currently 21 weeks pregnant. A good friend recently acquired the flesh-eating bacteria after her cesarean section, as revealed by a vaginal swab. She is now on 8 days of antibiotics. What is the chance that the infection will continue in her? Can I get that bacteria just by giving her a kiss or hand? As a pregnant woman, am I not a risk group and is it best to avoid contact? Is there danger for her husband (sexual relations) or for handling her newborn child?
Answer
Dear Evie,
It is important to discuss your concerns with your GP and gynecologist during any of the following prenatal consultations. After all, it is difficult to formulate medical advice for one specific case without thorough knowledge of the dossier.
The flesh-eating bacteria, or Streptococcus pyogenes, is a bacteria that we all carry. This bacteria can be found on our body, in the throat or on the skin. In the vast majority of cases, we never get sick. In case it does cause illness, there are various possibilities from a throat infection to serious skin wounds. Doctors know well how to detect this infection and treat it quickly. In the case of a skin infection, however, this can spread very quickly and cause connective tissue to die, hence the name flesh-eating bacteria. Fortunately, this is extremely rare!
There is no more danger for a pregnant woman than for a non-pregnant: it is and remains a very rare infection!
Answered by
prof. Dr. Steven Callens
Infectious Diseases, General Internal Diseases
http://www.ugent.be
.