Dr. Vaishali Shedge

Infectious diseases are disorders caused by pathogenic microorganisms (e.g., bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites) that may be transmitted directly or indirectly by various sources (e.g., person to person, insects, animals, environment, food, water). Some infections may be harmful, but some may be harmless; all may be preventable. Certain patient populations, including pregnant women, may also be more susceptible to infectionsDuring pregnancy, some common infections that may occur are influenza, vaginal yeast infections, eczema, herpes, uterine infections, group B streptococcus (GBS), bacterial vaginosis (BV), and listeria. Changes in immune function, such as reduction in T- and B-cell activity and natural killer–cell activity and increases in dendritic-cell activity, may cause this increased risk of infection.2,3 However, immune-system changes during pregnancy are not fully understood, and more data are needed.The severity of some infections, such as influenza, GBS, sexually transmitted diseases, urinary tract infections, and Zika virus, may also increase with advancing pregnancy.4 Complications from severe infections during pregnancy may include preterm birth, low birth weight, birth defects, learning problems, and possibly pregnancy loss.5-7 Prevention, early detection, and treatment are vital to help minimize and eliminate these complications with multiple available prevention and treatment strategies. The problem lies with growing and novel pathogens, as data are limited to devise a response plan to emerging infections such as the current pandemic.VIRAL VERSUS BACTERIALMany viral infections during pregnancy are considered benign; but due to the immunological changes that are associated with pregnancy, the severity of viral infections may increase.9 In addition, there is little available information about how pregnancy affects the mother’s response to viral pathogens; however, it is thought that placental response to viruses may play a role in the severity of infection.6,9 When pandemics such as influenza, Ebola, Zika, and COVID-19 occur, it becomes challenging to prevent and treat these infections with the complexity and uncertainty of immunological changes during pregnancy.Viruses and infections associated with pregnancy include herpes simplex virus (HSV); varicella zoster virus (also known as chickenpox); cytomegalovirus; rubella; human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); hepatitis; influenza; and Ebola.Bacterial infections may also affect women throughout their pregnancy term and the fetus and newborn. Like viral infections, it is just as important to screen, treat, and prevent these infections to decrease complications with pregnancy.10 Bacteria and infections associated with pregnancy include GBS; urinary tract infections; listeriosis; syphilis; chlamydia; and bacterial vaginosis.

Vaccination Clinic offers a wide range of vaccination services to help protect and prevent against many common diseases which can be infected by virus and bacteria and causes serious or life-threatening sickness and sometimes may lead to lifelong health problems. But because many preventive vaccination available to our needs, these problems can be protected by taking early preventive action and help to protect from the rise of vaccine-preventable diseases.

Adolescence is the phase of life between childhood and adulthood, from ages 10 to 19. It is a unique stage of human development and an important time for laying the foundations of good health. Adolescents experience rapid physical, cognitive and psychosocial growth. This affects how they feel, think, make decisions, and interact with the world around them. Despite being thought of as a healthy stage of life, there is significant death, illness and injury in the adolescent years. Much of this is preventable or treatable. During this phase, adolescents establish patterns of behaviour – for instance, related to diet, physical activity, substance use, and sexual activity – that can protect their health and the health of others around them, or put their health at risk now and in the future.To grow and develop in good health, adolescents need information, including age-appropriate comprehensive sexuality education; opportunities to develop life skills; health services that are acceptable, equitable, appropriate and effective; and safe and supportive environments. They also need opportunities to meaningfully participate in the design and delivery of interventions to improve and maintain their health. Expanding such opportunities is key to responding to adolescents’ specific needs and rights.There are more adolescents in the world than ever before: 1.2 billion, totalling one sixth of the global population. This number is expected to rise through 2050, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where close to 90% of 10- to 19-year-olds live.An estimated 1.1 million adolescents die each year. The leading causes are road traffic injuries, suicide and interpersonal violence. Millions of adolescents also experience illness and injury. Causes of mortality and morbidity among adolescents differ by sex and age, and also by geographic region.For 10-14-year-olds, the leading risks for health are related to water, hygiene and sanitation. Risks for 15-19-year-olds are more often related to behaviours, such as alcohol use and unsafe sex. Poor diet and low physical activity are additional challenges which begin in childhood and adolescence, as does sexual abuse. Older adolescent girls are disproportionately affected by intimate partner violence. Pregnancy complications and unsafe abortions are the leading causes of death among 15-19-year-old girls.Most adolescent mortality and morbidity is preventable or treatable, but adolescents face specific barriers in accessing health information and services. Restrictive laws and policies, parental or partner control, limited knowledge, distance, cost, lack of confidentiality, and provider bias can all restrict adolescents from getting the care they need to grow and develop in good health.