Is food poisoning possibly salmonella dangerous to a unborn baby in the first trimester?

Food poisoning, including salmonella, can be dangerous for pregnant women and their unborn babies. Salmonella infection during pregnancy, known as salmonellosis, can cause serious health problems for both mother and baby

Risks to the mother:

-Salmonella infection can cause severe diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, leading to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.

-It can also result in a high fever, which is a known risk factor for neural tube defects in the developing fetus.

Risks to the baby:

-Salmonella can cross the placenta and infect the fetus, leading to a condition called congenital salmonellosis. This can cause serious illness in newborns, including:

- Sepsis (a severe bloodstream infection)

- Meningitis (inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord)

- Pneumonia (lung infection)

- Diarrhea

- Fever

- In severe cases, congenital salmonellosis can lead to premature birth, low birth weight, or even fetal death.

It's important for pregnant women to take precautions to avoid food poisoning, such as:

- Avoiding raw or undercooked meat, poultry, and seafood

- Thoroughly cooking all foods, especially ground meat and eggs

- Washing fruits and vegetables before eating them

- Avoiding unpasteurized milk and juice

- Practicing good hygiene, such as washing hands frequently and avoiding cross-contamination of foods