A pregnant woman has a higher risk of flu and should definitely take a flu shot. Read about the common signs, causes, precaution, and treatment of flu during pregnancy.
Influenza and Pregnancy
Influenza (the flu) is a viral infection that can affect almost anyone. It has a wide range of symptoms and a wide spectrum on the degree of severity of the symptoms.
Common Signs And Symptoms
- Fever
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Muscle Aches
- Coughing
- Runny Stuffy Nose
- Sore Throat.
The severity can vary widely.
Some affected persons can recover within a few days without requiring prescription medicines and some may develop pneumonia and require hospitalization.
Some groups have an increased risk of complications: –
- Age groups below 5 years and above 65 years
- Immunocompromised people
- People on steroid medication
- People with chronic disorders
- Pregnant women
Impact On Flu During Pregnancy
During pregnancy, the immunity of the pregnant woman is lower than otherwise. Therefore, they are more susceptible to get influenza and more likely to have complications. They are more likely to have preterm labor and premature rupture of membranes. The Flu virus does not cross the placenta and therefore is not likely to harm the fetus.
Prevention Of Flu
The virus spreads by contact with an affected individual and therefore avoiding contact and maintaining hygiene are the most important steps in precaution.
Flu Vaccination During Pregnancy
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding—get the flu vaccine each year.
Pregnant women should get the vaccine early in the flu season (October through May), as soon as the vaccine is available. The injection can be given at any time during pregnancy.
The flu vaccine contains a form of the flu virus that is inactivated and therefore it cannot cause disease. They have also proved to be safe and not known to cause any defects in the baby.
The vaccine can cause minor side effects such as soreness at the site of injection and feverish feeling. This usually resolves within a day or two. Serious side effects like an allergic reaction are rare.
A live, attenuated influenza vaccine is available as a nose spray, but it is not recommended for pregnant women.
Once the antibodies are ready, they remain in circulation for many years. But the strain of the virus that causes infection changes every year.
Therefore, every year there is a new vaccine developed that is effective against the current strain of the virus. Therefore, individuals with a high risk of influenza need to take the injection every year.
The maternal antibodies are able to cross over to the fetus and therefore are protective to the baby till the baby is 6 months of age. The baby can receive the influenza vaccine at 6 months of age.
Treatment Of Flu During Pregnancy
- Rest and hydration with warm fluids are basic remedial steps.
- Steam inhalation, anti-allergic medicines, and paracetamol /acetaminophen are liberally used.
- Occasionally some patients may require Antiviral medication.
- They are most effective when taken within 48 hours of the onset of flu symptoms but can be started up to 4–5 days after symptoms start. They are effective in minimizing the severity of the symptoms.
- In case there are complications then hospitalization and /or antibiotics may be required for bacterial infections that develop during decreased immunity.
So take care and report to the gynecologist or the physician in case you have any symptoms of flu. Consult Dr. Sangeeta Agrawal if you find any similar symptoms.
