Planning a trip to the tropics? Beware: you are more susceptible to
infectious diseases. Read here what the risks are and what you can do to avoid infectious disease
prevent
Travelling to the tropics increases the risk of infectious diseases that can be dangerous for you and your
unborn child. An infectious disease with a high fever can trigger labour.
Before booking a trip, it is wise to seek information from an expert
traveller's advisor. The advisor will tell you about the risks of your trip and what you can do to avoid illnesses
avoid. Equipped with good information, you can weigh up for yourself whether the importance of your trip outweighs
against the risks.
Three key tips:
- If fever >38.5 ºC, see a doctor.
- Apply anti-mosquito measures with extra care.
- When choosing your holiday destination, take into account the quality of the
healthcare in the relevant country.
Malaria
Malaria is an infectious disease transmitted by an infected mosquito. In pregnancy,
malaria severe. Malaria can cause miscarriage or premature birth. A trip to
malaria area during pregnancy is therefore not recommended.
If you do decide to travel to a malaria area for which malaria tablets are advised, it is
it is important that you take the recommended malaria tablets as prescribed. Sometimes
pregnant women are concerned about the side effects of the tablets and the possible risks
for the unborn child. Bear in mind that malaria is a dangerous disease and the
traveller's adviser recommends the tablets that can be used safely in your case.
However, antimalarial drugs never protect 100% against malaria.
Therefore, apply anti-mosquito measures with extra care.
The mosquito that transmits malaria stings from sunset to sunrise (evening and night).
Therefore, sleep under an impregnated mosquito net. Also use a mosquito repellent with
DEET on uncovered skin. For more information on dosages during pregnancy, see the
Leaflet 'Mosquito repellent when travelling'.
If you develop fever or flu-like symptoms during or after a stay in a malaria area, you should
you get tested for malaria as soon as possible. Malaria can quickly become life-threatening
especially in pregnant women.
Zika, dengue and chikungunya
Zika, dengue (dengue fever) and chikungunya are infectious diseases transmitted by a
bite of an infected mosquito. These mosquitoes mainly sting during the day.
The symptoms of Zika, dengue and chikungunya are very similar, but usually the three progress
diseases without symptoms. Sometimes people get fever, joint pain, headache and pronounced
muscle pain. The disease then resembles the flu. Skin rashes may also appear. In rare cases,
dengue severe, with high fever and internal bleeding. Take extra care in pregnancy
mosquito repellent measures. See also the leaflet 'Mosquito repellent when travelling' and the leaflet on CDZ.
Zika in pregnancy
Zika in pregnancy can cause birth defects in the child. The chances of getting
of the disease is uneven. Pregnant women should take a trip to Zika region well
weigh up and discuss with an expert traveller's advisor.
Zika can also be transmitted through sexual contact.
Women travelling to Zika territory without a partner are advised to avoid pregnancy
delayed until a month after return.
Zika can also be transmitted through semen. Men who have been in Zika territory become
advised to use a condom for two more months when having sexual contact with women.
Diarrhoea
Diarrhoea is can lead to dehydration. During pregnancy, you are more prone to dehydration. Note
so extra on the general measures advised to prevent diarrhoea and
dehydration. See the 'General traveller's leaflet' and the 'Traveller's diarrhoea' leaflet. In addition, the
treatment of prolonged or severe diarrhoea more difficult because many drugs cannot be used
during pregnancy. These include stoppers (loperamide) and some antibiotics.
Air travel
Try to ensure an aisle seat for more legroom and comfort. Walk every half
hour a bit. Drink plenty of water because in an aeroplane the air is very dry. Most
airlines do not accept pregnant women after the 36th week because of a possible
childbirth on a plane. Flying is not recommended until seven days after childbirth, partly because of
the increased risk of thrombosis. Before booking your trip, ask about the policy of the
airline. If you have severe anaemia or have ever had thrombosis, discuss
your travel plans with your midwife, GP or gynaecologist.
Vaccinations
Yellow fever vaccination is given during pregnancy only in exceptional cases.
A mumps, measles and rubella (BMR) vaccination is not given during pregnancy.
Most other vaccinations can be given safely during pregnancy. Your
traveller's advisor will take this into account during your personal advice.
Traffic
Car accidents are common. It is wise to consult a doctor after an accident. During the
pregnancy also consult a doctor after an apparently minor injury or if after an accident
does not (yet) have immediate complaints.
Height
For pregnant women, staying above 2,500 metres increases the risk of altitude sickness.
Drugs for altitude sickness should not be used during pregnancy. It is at
pregnant women are therefore especially important not to rise too fast. The advice is to rest for 4-5 days
take before exerting yourself. See also the leaflet 'Altitude sickness'.
Travel pharmacy
Not all antibiotics and drugs can be used safely during pregnancy.
Paracetamol is safe though and recommended to prevent high fevers. Some
women are more likely to suffer from vaginal yeast infection during pregnancy. Travelling to
hot areas can increase the risk of this. In consultation with your (family) doctor, you can take a
antifungal agent with you. Consult the traveller's advisor, your (family) doctor or pharmacy about which
medicines can be used safely during pregnancy. See also the LCR traveller's leaflet 'The
'Travel Pharmacy'.
Other information
In the Netherlands, about 10% of pregnancies end in miscarriage. Bear in mind that this can also
happen when you are travelling or just after you have received a vaccination without it being related to travel or
to do with the vaccine.
See also www.lcr.nl > opinion by country
See also www.lcr.nl > information on diseases
Download the leaflet below!
