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Influenza During Pregnancy
Caring for You, Always
Influenza and Pregnancy
Influenza is a respiratory illness which is caused by influenza virus. The influenza virus is present throughout the year but is activity peaks during the winter months, though it can affect an individual all through the year.
The influenza (flu) virus is contagious and can spread from one patient to another. It usually spreads by the droplets which are made when the patient with flu coughs sneezes or talks. Patients with flu are most contagious in the first three to four days of their illness but they may transmit infection even before the symptoms develop.
Symptoms usually begin two days after the virus enters the body. Patients who suffer from flu can have mild to moderate to severe disease. Common symptoms are fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.
Children below 5 years of age, pregnant women, adults above the age of 65 and immunocompromised individuals and patients with other chronic diseases are particularly at higher risk of getting influenza. In pregnancy there are changes in the immune system, the heart and the lungs and this makes pregnant women more prone to severe illness from flu.
In mild disease patients do not need any medical care and antiviral drugs and will usually recover in 7 to 10 days. Influenza can get severe in some cases and will require medical attention, antiviral drugs and occasionally hospitalization. It can lead to complications like pneumonia, bronchitis, aggravation of asthma, sinusitis, and superimposed bacterial infections which will require antibacterial medication.
Treatment is very important for pregnant women and should begin as soon as possible within 48 hours of the start of symptoms. Antiviral drugs can make the illness mild. Oral oseltamivir is the preferred treatment for pregnant women. It is safe and beneficial. Paracetamol is safe during pregnancy and very useful for management of fever.
The best way to prevent Flu is by taking a vaccine. During pregnancy it protects both the mother and the baby. It can reduce the risk of flu associated complications by up to 50%. The antibodies protect the baby after birth for a few months. It is ideally given in the third trimester but can be given any time. There is ample evidence for its safety in pregnancy.
