Infections in pregnancy: CMV, Zika, HIV, hepatitis B and C, skin and lower respiratory tract
Antenatal screening, congenital CMV and valaciclovir, Zika travel advice, HIV viral load and mode of birth, hepatitis B tenofovir and infant prophylaxis, hepatitis C, varicella and other skin infections, pneumonia and influenza, vaccines in pregnancy and safe antibiotics.
Tier 1Condition
Written with AI assistance and fact-checked against the sources below. For exam study, not clinical decisions. How notes are made
At a glance
- Screen every pregnant woman at the first visit for HIV, hepatitis B (HBsAg), syphilis and rubella immunity, with hepatitis C testing at least in those at risk.
- CMV is the commonest congenital infection and the leading non-genetic cause of sensorineural hearing loss. Valaciclovir 8 g/day now has a role after first trimester primary infection.
- With treatment, mother-to-child transmission is under 1% for HIV and close to zero for hepatitis B.
Loading the rest of the note…
Finished reading?
Sources
- Australian Immunisation Handbook (pregnancy; varicella; RSV; influenza; pertussis; hepatitis B)AU/NZAustralian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation, Australian Government, Online edition, accessed November 2026
- Therapeutic Guidelines: Antibiotic (infections in pregnancy; antimicrobial use in pregnancy)AU/NZTherapeutic Guidelines Limited
- ASHM resources on HIV, viral hepatitis and pregnancy, including infant feeding guidance for women with HIVAU/NZAustralasian Society for HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexual Health Medicine
- Recommendations for the use of antiretroviral drugs during pregnancy and interventions to reduce perinatal HIV transmission in the United StatesPanel on Treatment of HIV During Pregnancy and Prevention of Perinatal Transmission, US Department of Health and Human Services, Living guideline, accessed November 2026
- Consensus recommendation for prenatal, neonatal and postnatal management of congenital cytomegalovirus infection from the European congenital infection initiative (ECCI)Leruez-Ville M et al. Lancet Reg Health Eur 2024;40:100892, 2024
- Valaciclovir to prevent vertical transmission of cytomegalovirus after maternal primary infection during pregnancyShahar-Nissan K et al. Lancet 2020;396:779-85, 2020
- Zika virus: sexual transmission and preventionUS Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Updated September 2026
- Syphilis advice (testing in pregnancy)AU/NZRoyal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, 15 September 2025
- RANZCOG statements on prevention of congenital CMV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV in pregnancyAU/NZRoyal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
- Last updated
- 14 November 2026
What changed
- 14 November 2026 Turnstile bot check on sign-in and signed-out feedback