Background: Infectious diseases are a common problem in people who travel to countries with poor hygiene standards. Pregnant travellers are subjected to increased risk because of the higher probability of complications in case of certain infectious diseases and the variability of prenatal care quality in these countries.
Case description: A pregnant patient presented herself at the emergency department with recurring fever and chills, a month after she had been to Indonesia. This was associated with a Salmonella infection; the placenta was the infection reservoir.
Conclusion: Travelling while pregnant is not without risk. Quick diagnosis and treatment of infections, which may sometimes have an atypical presentation during pregnancy, can be of crucial importance. It is extra important for pregnant people to get travel advice before the trip, so that risks, alarming symptoms and additional hygiene measures can be discussed.