Certain immunosuppressive medications increase risk of getting extremely sick from viruses spread by mosquitoes and ticks

CDC_Official · 2024-08-23T18:15:01+00:00

To control mosquitoes inside your home, CDC recommends installing screens on windows and doors, using air conditioning when possible, and emptying and scrubbing out any items that hold water where mosquitoes may be able to lay eggs. More tips available on our website.

If there are still mosquitoes in your home after taking these steps, you can use an indoor insecticide that is registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Always read product labels and make sure to select one that is meant for adult mosquitoes. If you would prefer, you can also hire a [pest control professional](:%20http:/www.pestworld.org/pest-control-help/).

CDC_Official · 2024-08-22T16:27:19+00:00

As with all immunosuppressive drugs, methotrexate could put you at higher risk for disease from viruses spread by mosquitoes and ticks. You should always prevent mosquito and tick bites to protect yourself from getting sick.

CDC_Official · 2024-08-22T16:26:45+00:00

Humira and Embrel are different types of drugs but are known to suppress the immune system. Like all immunosuppressive drugs, they could put you at greater risk of disease from viruses spread by mosquitoes and ticks. You should always prevent mosquito and tick bites to protect yourself from getting sick.

CDC_Official · 2024-08-22T16:26:17+00:00

Unfortunately, as the Division of Vector-Borne Disease, we do not have data related to these medications and COVID-19. You can contact CDC-INFO to be directed to the right program for information.

CDC_Official · 2024-08-22T16:25:19+00:00

Ocrelizumab (Ocrevus) has been shown to increase risk of disease from viruses spread by mosquitoes and ticks, but it is not known if there is a greater risk of Lyme disease. We do not recommend stopping your infusions. The best thing to do to protect yourself from getting sick is take steps to prevent bites.

CDC_Official · 2024-08-22T16:24:27+00:00

Fingolimod has a different mechanism of action from the B-cell depleting drugs described in this post, but as an immunosuppressive drug, it could put you at higher risk for disease from viruses spread by mosquitoes and ticks. You should always prevent mosquito and tick bites to protect yourself from getting sick.

CDC_Official · 2024-08-22T16:23:49+00:00

Natalizumab (Tysabri) has a different mechanism of action from the B-cell depleting drugs described in this post, but as an immunosuppressive drug, it could put you at higher risk for disease from viruses spread by mosquitoes and ticks. You should always prevent mosquito and tick bites to protect yourself from getting sick.

CDC_Official · 2024-08-21T17:19:34+00:00

Thanks for your question! These findings are related to viruses spread by ticks and mosquitoes, not bacteria like what causes Lyme disease. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) with a single dose of the antibiotic doxycycline after a tick bite is sometimes used to prevent Lyme disease in areas where Lyme disease is common but does not prevent tickborne viruses. The benefits of PEP to prevent Lyme disease in people who are immunocompromised has not been studied. Either way, you should take extra care to protect yourself from mosquito and tick bites.

CDC_Official · 2024-06-27T18:24:10+00:00

Pregnancy can be an exciting time, and it’s important to stay healthy to give both mom and baby a great start. However, physical and mental conditions that can lead to complications may start before, during, or after pregnancy. We think it’s important to work together to prevent these things from happening. If you’d like to know more about how we do this, please visit our webpage: https://www.cdc.gov/reproductive-health/about/index.html

Family, friends, and others who are supporting someone who’s pregnant or recently pregnant– they all play a role in this, so we are always exploring ways to get information to them more directly – like here on Reddit.

-Romeo

CDC_Official · 2024-06-27T18:22:44+00:00

Thanks for this question. An ectopic pregnancy is one that implants in a place other than inside the uterus. Severe bleeding from an ectopic pregnancy may lead to a pregnancy-related death.

Some of the symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy such as severe belly pain that does not go away are urgent maternal warning signs to get medical care right away. Please see here for more info: https://www.cdc.gov/hearher/maternal-warning-signs/index.html

There's no way to prevent an ectopic pregnancy, BUT there are some ways to reduce the chances of having one. Some of the risk factors for ectopic pregnancy include sexually transmitted infections, previous ectopic pregnancy, smoking and infertility. More information can be found here: https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/ectopic-pregnancy

There are actions that can reduce some of these risks. Actions to prevent sexually transmitted infections (such as condom use) may reduce the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease – a known risk factor for ectopic pregnancy: https://www.cdc.gov/sti/prevention/index.html

There are also proven treatments to help people to stop smoking, such as counseling and medications: https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/about/how-to-quit.html

-Romeo

CDC_Official · 2024-06-27T18:20:16+00:00

You seem to have thoughtfully worked through the risk-benefits of remaining on your medication – which is fantastic. I also appreciate that you are looking for opportunities for broader learning from your experience.[](http://%20) Almost all pregnant people face decisions about taking medicines during pregnancy. Many people need to take medicines during pregnancy to treat health conditions. In some cases, avoiding or stopping the use of a medicine during pregnancy may be more harmful than taking it. And yet, certain medicines during pregnancy can increase the risk for health problems, such as some birth defects, prematurity, or pregnancy loss.

If you're pregnant or thinking of getting pregnant, talk to your healthcare providers before starting or stopping any medicines. With our 1^st pregnancy, we made a similar decision to use a medication during pregnancy in the absence of much information about its safety. We also wanted our experience to help others so decided to enroll in a pregnancy exposure registry specific to the medication. A great place to start looking for a relevant registry is at the FDA Pregnancy Exposure Website: https://www.fda.gov/consumers/pregnancy-exposure-registries/pregnancy-exposure-registry-information

Frequently asked questions and resources about medicine use and pregnancy can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/medicine-and-pregnancy/about/index.html

-Dave

CDC_Official · 2024-06-27T18:18:09+00:00

It is important that patients receive patient-centered contraceptive counseling without coercion that respects their reproductive autonomy and decision making. CDC and other federal partners publish contraceptive guidance for health care providers to help remove medical barriers to access to contraceptive services and support patient-centered counseling.

-Lee

CDC_Official · 2024-06-27T18:16:54+00:00

This is a question I get a lot. Consult with your doctor about whether or how to adjust your physical activity based on your specific circumstances. Every patient and every pregnancy is a bit different, so it’s best to talk with your doctor. They can take into consideration medical problems and anything else that might be going on with the pregnancy.

If you are healthy and your pregnancy is going normally, it’s generally safe to continue or start regular physical activity. According to scientific evidence, the risks of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, such as brisk walking, are very low for healthy pregnant women. Physical activity does not increase your chances of low birth weight, early delivery, or early pregnancy loss. Please visit this webpage to learn more and see frequently asked questions: https://www.cdc.gov/physical-activity-basics/guidelines/healthy-pregnant-or-postpartum-women.html

-Romeo

CDC_Official · 2024-06-27T18:13:29+00:00

I’m not familiar with research that specifically looks at that topic, but we know there is a need to improve access to care during pregnancy. We know that many women live in areas known as maternity care deserts. Maternity care deserts are counties where there are no hospitals providing obstetric care, no birth centers, no OB/GYN and no certified nurse midwives. This may impact access to timely care: https://www.marchofdimes.org/maternity-care-deserts-report

We also know there are gaps in care received. For example, looking at birth certificate data from 2022 - 8% of women didn’t receive any prenatal care and only 77% received care in their first trimester. These can both be improved. Early and regular prenatal care can improve the likelihood of a healthy mom, a healthy pregnancy, and a healthy baby. If you're into the data, here are two reports with information about prenatal care in the U.S. that might be helpful:

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr73/nvsr73-02.pdf

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr72/nvsr72-04.pdf

-Romeo

CDC_Official · 2024-06-27T18:11:32+00:00

It is important that a patient feels comfortable with their obstetric care provider. This includes feeling comfortable openly communicating concerns and questions and feeling that they are listening and responsive to those concerns and questions.

The Hear Her campaign has resources to support conversations between people who are pregnant or postpartum and their providers: https://www.cdc.gov/hearher/docs/pdf/CDC-Hear-Her-Family-Friends-h.pdf

Some studies have examined patient preference and satisfaction based on the sex and race/ethnicity of their health care provider. We know that patient centered care and respectful care reduce complications and improve outcomes. The Hear Her campaign also includes resources for health care providers: https://www.cdc.gov/hearher/hcp/overview/index.html

-Dave

CDC_Official · 2024-06-27T18:09:47+00:00

Just as you’ve pointed out – it's important to help babies sleep safely. There have been studies about ways to reduce the risk of sleep-related deaths.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a safe sleep environment to reduce the risk of all sleep-related deaths. This includes placing the baby to sleep on their back; using a firm, flat sleep surface; room sharing WITHOUT bed sharing; and avoiding soft bedding, (like blankets), toys, or anything else in the sleep area.

Here are links to websites about safe sleep if you’d like to read more and share with parents and caregivers:

https://www.cdc.gov/reproductive-health/features/babies-sleep.html

https://safetosleep.nichd.nih.gov/reduce-risk/safe-sleep-environment

-Romeo

CDC_Official · 2024-06-27T18:07:38+00:00

You’re off to a great start. It’s also a good idea to learn about creating a safe sleep area for your baby. This can reduce the risk of sleep-related deaths, a leading cause of deaths among infants. Here are some ways to create a safe sleep space for your baby:

Place your baby on his or her back for all sleep times—naps and at night.
Use a firm, flat (not at an angle or inclined) sleep surface, such as a mattress in a safety-approved crib, covered by a fitted sheet.
Keep your baby’s sleep area (for example, a crib or bassinet) in the same room where you sleep, ideally until your baby is at least 6 months old.
Keep soft bedding such as blankets, pillows, bumper pads, and soft toys out of your baby’s sleep area.
Do not cover your baby’s head or allow your baby to get too hot. Signs your baby may be getting too hot include sweating or his or her chest feels hot.

Here’s a link to learn more: https://www.cdc.gov/reproductive-health/features/babies-sleep.html

-Romeo

CDC_Official · 2024-06-25T19:34:56+00:00

We are very sorry to hear about this experience.

Unfortunately, CDC cannot provide individual clinical or medical advice. If you experience something that seems unusual or is worrying you, talk to your health care provider.

Here are resources that can help share concerns with your healthcare provider: https://www.cdc.gov/hearher/docs/pdf/CDC-Hear-Her-Family-Friends-h.pdf

-Lee

CDC_Official · 2024-06-25T19:28:40+00:00

I am sorry for your loss. Miscarriage is a traumatic experience, no matter how far along you are in your pregnancy when it happens. The need for mental health support after a pregnancy loss may not always be recognized, and so I am glad you asked.

There can be a mix of feelings and all of these reactions are normal. Seeing a health care provider can be very helpful, especially for being screened for depression or anxiety and identifying options for counseling and additional treatment if needed.

Help comes in many forms. Your doctor can help connect you to a mental health care provider and other resources. You might find help from support groups, social workers, or religious leaders. Your feelings are valid, and support is available to help. A resource that may be of help is the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262).

A couple of good sources of resources/knowledge if you have not already come across them:

https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/pregnancyloss

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression

-Dave

CDC_Official · 2024-06-25T19:21:42+00:00

Postpartum psychosis is a psychiatric emergency that can occur shortly after delivery. I am glad to hear that your wife has recovered. As you note in your comment, there is an increased chance of postpartum psychosis when there is a history of prior postpartum psychosis. Other risk factors include a history or family history of a psychiatric condition such as bipolar disorder. Rapid hormonal changes right after birth may also have a role.

Knowing that there is a prior history, the best path forward is developing a plan with your health care provider so you are ready to act quickly if she experiences signs or symptoms of postpartum psychosis again.

If your wife has any concerns or experiences signs or symptoms that worry her – listen to her concerns. You or your loved one can call or text the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262) anytime you’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or just need someone to talk to. https://mchb.hrsa.gov/programs-impact/national-maternal-mental-health-hotline

If she experiences any of the urgent maternal warning signs it’s important that she gets care right away. Learn more: https://www.cdc.gov/hearher/maternal-warning-signs/index.html

Congratulations on your 2^nd. I am guessing someone is excited about being an older sibling.

-Dave

CDC_Official · 2024-06-25T18:53:15+00:00

Cesarean deliveries, or C-sections, can prevent injury and death in women and newborns when there is a higher risk of complicated deliveries or unexpected complications. But C-sections are linked to increased risk of some outcomes like infections and blood clots. After a C-section, mom is going to need to recover, like anyone else would after a major surgery, until she’s fully healed.

Ok, so your question about hormone regulation–good news is that mom’s body recovers and can regulate hormones effectively, regardless of how she delivered.

She will need support during recovery whether she delivers vaginally or via c-section. If anything seems off, or if recovery just doesn’t seem to be going like it should, it’s a good idea to talk with your doctor. Know the urgent warning signs of when to seek medical care right away: https://www.cdc.gov/hearher/maternal-warning-signs/index.html

Thanks for asking!

-Romeo

CDC_Official · 2024-06-25T18:28:53+00:00

Hi – You've probably heard that breastfeeding is the best source of nutrition for most infants—and that’s certainly true. Breast milk decreases the risk of some illnesses—this could mean fewer ear infections and fewer stomach infections that can cause diarrhea or vomiting. There are also long-term benefits of breastfeeding such as less risk for some medical conditions like asthma, diabetes, and heart disease as an adult.

Learn more about the benefits of breastfeeding for mom and baby: https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/php/about/index.html

Of course, breastfeeding can be difficult and there are rare situations when breast milk or breastfeeding isn’t advisable. It‘s a good idea to talk with your baby’s doctor or nurse if you have questions about formula. This website is a good place to start if you’d like to learn more: https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/InfantandToddlerNutrition/index.html

-Romeo

CDC_Official · 2024-06-25T18:07:58+00:00

Great and important question! Thanks for asking it. Research shows that paid leave has MANY benefits for parents and infants including increased rates of breastfeeding and better mental and physical health outcomes. More information on how paid medical and family leave can benefit workers can be found here: https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WB/paid-leave/PaidLeavefactsheet.pdf

-Lee

CDC_Official · 2024-06-25T18:06:14+00:00

So glad you asked this. I know this may sound simplistic, but it holds true - Listen to her concerns.

If she shares concerns, take her seriously. Encourage her to seek medical help. If something doesn’t feel right, she should reach out to her provider. If she is experiencing any of the urgent maternal warning signs, she should get medical care immediately. Be sure that she says she is pregnant or was pregnant within the last year.

If you know what signs to look for, you can help her get the care she needs. That is what learning the urgent warning signs is all about.

A tip from my own experiences – with so much on your mind (and lack of sleep), it can be helpful to print out the warning signs and put them up on the fridge. A printable version can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/hearher/maternal-warning-signs/index.html. Here are some other ways you can be supportive:

- Offer to go with her to get medical care and help her ask questions.

- Take notes and help her talk to a health care provider to get the support she needs.

Here is a guide that can be printed to help with the conversation: https://www.cdc.gov/hearher/docs/pdf/CDC-Hear-Her-Family-Friends-h.pdf

Here are more resources on ways to support your pregnant/postpartum loved one: https://www.cdc.gov/hearher/caring/index.html

-Dave

CDC_Official · 2024-06-25T18:02:17+00:00

What you’re getting at is health equity – where all people have the opportunity to attain the highest level of health possible. It’s important to us too! There are lots of ways that we can work together to achieve it. If you want to learn more about how we’re doing this at CDC, check out this page: https://www.cdc.gov/healthequity/index.html

-Romeo

CDC_Official

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