<p>During <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/pregnancy.html">pregnancy</a>, some common infections like the common cold or a skin infection do not usually cause serious problems. But other infections can be dangerous to you, your baby, or both. Some infections may lead to <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/pretermlabor.html">preterm birth</a> and <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/birthweight.html">low birth weight babies</a>. Others can cause serious illness, <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/birthdefects.html">birth defects</a>, and lifelong disabilities, such as <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/hearingproblemsinchildren.html">hearing loss</a> or <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/learningdisabilities.html">learning problems</a>.</p> <p>Some of the infections that can be dangerous during pregnancy include:</p><ul> <li>Bacterial vaginosis (BV)</li> <li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/streptococcalinfections.html">Group B strep</a> (GBS)</li> <li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/hepatitis.html">Hepatitis</a></li> <li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/sexuallytransmittedinfections.html">Sexually transmitted infections</a> (STIs)</li> <li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/toxoplasmosis.html">Toxoplasmosis</a></li> <li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/urinarytractinfections.html">Urinary tract infections</a></li> <li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/yeastinfections.html">Yeast infections</a></li> <li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/zikavirus.html">Zika virus</a></li> </ul> <p>To try to prevent infections:</p><ul> <li>Don't eat raw or undercooked meat.</li> <li>Don't share food or drinks with other people.</li> <li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/germsandhygiene.html">Wash your hands</a> frequently.</li> <li>Don't empty cat litter. Cats can transmit toxoplasmosis.</li> <li>Talk to your health care provider about <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/vaccines.html">vaccinations</a>.</li> <li>If you have sex during pregnancy, use a condom every time.</li> </ul> <p>If you do get an infection during pregnancy, contact your health care provider about how best to protect you and your baby. Only some medicines are <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/pregnancyandmedicines.html">safe during pregnancy</a>.</p>