Infectious Diseases
THE MOTHER WITH AN INFECTION
1. A febrile, postpartum mother without a specific diagnosed site of infection can usually be allowed to handle and feed her newborn if she is feeling well enough, washes her hands thoroughly and wears a clean cover gown.
2. A mother with a respiratory tract infection should be informed that transmission of such infections on hands or fomites is common. She should be instructed in careful handwashing techniques and handling of items that might be contaminated with infectious secretions.
It might be wise for her to wear a surgical mask when she is with the baby to reduce the chance of droplet spread of infection.
3. Breastfeeding is usually possible even if the mother has one of many different overt infections or if she is receiving antibiotics. Breastfeeding is contraindicated in cases of:
a. Maternal AIDS or HIV infection
b. Maternal TB, untreated
c. Maternal varicella (if mother develops lesions in the 5 days before or up to 2 days after delivery).
4. A mother with a communicable disease that is likely to be transmitted to her baby should not have direct contact with the baby until the infection is no longer communicable. These include:
a. Maternal Rubella - until clear of rash
b. Maternal Gonorrhea - until treated for 24 hours
c. Maternal Rubeola - until clear of rash
d. Primary or Secondary Syphilis - until treated for 24 hours
e. Tuberculosis (Active) - until treated for 2 weeks
f. Maternal Varicella Zoster - until lesions are crusted
g. Maternal Hepatitis - until after the baby receives prophylaxis.
5. MRSA positive mothers. Infants born to MRSA-positive mothers will room in if medically feasible. When in the nursery, the baby will be under Contact Precautions. If the baby needs to undergo a special test or procedure (circumcision), this will be done using Contact Precautions.
Mothers colonized with MRSA may visit their newborn in the Nursery. The mother must visit only her baby and will be encouraged not to touch anything in the environment of the nursery. She may hold her baby after washing her hands and using a gown or barrier between her body and the baby's body. If an infant born to a MRSA-positive mother returns to UTMB within the first year of life, the infant will be admitted under Contact Precautions. The flag will be removed if the patient is cultured and found to be negative for MRSA or if the patient has not been in the hospital for the past year.
For other infectious conditions, refer to the appropriate section in this manual or the Red Book.
