ABSTRACT
Fever during pregnancy has a special significance since the physician is dealing with two patients at the same time. The body temperature during pregnancy may be slightly elevated, but it does not usually exceed 38°C. The pregnant woman has an attenuated cell-mediated immune system manifesting itself by impaired responsiveness of T-lymphocytes. Rubella is the best known of the viral infections which may be hazardous to the fetus. Cytomegalovirus usually develops after a primary maternal infection during the first two trimesters of pregnancy. The importance of acquired immune deficiency syndrome, a relatively new but frightening disease in obstetrics, lies in the fact that the virus can be transmitted transplacentally, even when the mother does not have any symptoms of the disease. Urinary tract infection is probably the most common infection during pregnancy. Ovarian cysts may undergo torsion mainly in the first trimester; subsequent peritonitis necessitates surgical intervention.
