Which type of pneumonia would be considered in a pregnant patient?

• A. RSV pneumonia
• B. Pneumonia due to influenza
• C. Varicella
• D. Staphylococcal pneumonia

Answer: (C)

Pregnancy changes how infections behave and which ones pose special risks to both mother and fetus. Varicella infection during pregnancy can lead to varicella pneumonia in the mother, a serious complication with substantial morbidity, and if the infection occurs in early pregnancy, the fetus is at risk for congenital varicella syndrome. Because of these significant maternal and fetal risks, varicella is the infection clinicians specifically consider when a pregnant patient presents with pneumonia or varicella exposure.

Other pneumonias listed—like RSV or influenza or staphylococcal pneumonia—can occur in adults and during pregnancy, but they don’t have the same pregnancy-specific fetal risk profile. RSV is more typical in infants; influenza can be severe in pregnancy but isn’t uniquely tied to pregnancy in the same way as varicella with fetal consequences. Staphylococcal pneumonia can occur post-viral illness but isn’t a pregnancy-specific concern.