Abstract

We carried out a review using a PubMed search and other methods, summarising the literature discussing the vulnerability of pregnant women to infectious disorders and the severity of the subsequent disease. Studies were considered if they provided data on the likelihood of infection or the prognosis of disease in pregnant women. 85 studies were included after 1454 abstracts were examined in total. Data on the prevalence of cases in pregnant women,infection rates, risk factors for the severity or complications of the disease, and maternal outcomes were extracted.Pregnancy is linked to increased severity of various infectious diseases, including measles, smallpox, hepatitis E,hepatitis, and influenza. There is also some evidence for increased severity of some diseases during pregnancy. There is some evidence that measles and smallpox are becoming more severe. With advanced pregnancy, disease severity tends to be more severe. Although the evidence is sparse, pregnant women may be more prone to contracting malaria,HIV infection, and listeriosis. These findings highlight the significance of early detection and treatment of suspected cases of hepatitis E, HSV, malaria, and influenza during pregnancy.

In collaboration with numerous local and international NGOs, South Asian nations have created widespread initiatives to prevent infectious diseases, such as routine immunisation, vaccination, and the distribution of critical medications. HIV/AIDS prevalence has been relatively low in the majority of South Asian nations up to this point, but problems including widespread poverty, food insecurity, illiteracy, poor sanitation, and societal stigma around AIDS are posing strong obstacles to efforts to stop the spread of this pandemic. In addition, the comeback of tuberculosis, the appearance of drug-resistant strains, and the coepidemic of TB and HIV pose an increasing threat to the inadequate healthcare system. The illness burden in the countries is transitioning epidemiologically from infectious diseases, which still account for about half of the total disease burden, to noncommunicable diseases. Despite the second-highest incidence of infectious diseases in the world after Africa in South Asia, no study has been done on the socioeconomic to numerous issues involving the social determinants of infectious diseases in South Asian nations. Additionally, it aims to offer a foundation for creating future prevention and intervention plans that are more effective.