Managing Labour in Women with COVID-19.

Since first reported in December 2019 in Wuhan, China, COVID-19 caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) Corona virus2 (SARS CoV-2) quickly spread to become a pandemic that has caused significant morbidity and mortality. The rapidity of the spread of the virus and the high mortality at the outset threatened to overwhelm health systems worldwide, and, indeed, this significantly impacted maternal health, especially since there was minimal experience to draw from. Experience with Covid 19 has grown exponentially as the unique needs of pregnant and labouring women with COVID-19 infection have become more evident.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) in pregnancy - An update.

Human papilloma viruses (HPV) are small epitheliotropic DNA viruses, of which there are 200 genotypes, 40 of which are known to cause genital infections and are also oncogenic. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection. Clinical features vary from asymptomatic (identified at routine cervical cancer screening) to large lesions on the vulva, vagina, cervix and some extragenital sites.

Viral Hepatitis in pregnancy.

The global prevalence of viral hepatitis is very high and seems to be rising over the years. The infection can profoundly affect pregnant women causing significant maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality with some strains much worse than others. Hepatitis A (HAV) and E (HEV) which are transmitted mainly through the faecal-oral route present as acute hepatitis during pregnancy and are responsible for most local epidemic outbreaks.

HIV in pregnancy - An update.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is an infection with a global prevalence and currently no cure or vaccine. Women living with HIV who become pregnant or who acquire the virus during pregnancy are at risk of both maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality mainly if the virus is poorly controlled. Furthermore, there is a risk of vertical transmission to the fetus during pregnancy labour and postpartum through breastfeeding.

Post-exposure prophylaxis for Blood-Borne Viral (BBV) Infections.

Viral infections, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV), are transmitted either sexually or through blood-borne contamination. The later causes enormous concern within health establishments and health care-workers. Post-exposure management of HIV rests on the use of triple Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART), but special care must be taken to choose the right combination for particular circumstances, especially when the subject is pregnant or likely to get pregnant from the event.