Influenza (Flu) is more likely to cause severe illness in pregnant women than in non-pregnant women. Changes to the immune system, heart, and lungs during pregnancy make pregnant women more susceptible to influenza severe enough to cause hospitalization throughout pregnancy and up to two weeks after delivery.
Symptoms:
Flu symptoms include high body temperature, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. Some people may have the flu and have respiratory symptoms without a high body temperature.
Flu vaccine and pregnancy:
Getting the influenza vaccine is the first and most important step in protecting against influenza, as it helps protect both the pregnant woman and her baby from influenza. It has also been proven that vaccination reduces the risk of developing acute respiratory infection associated with influenza in pregnant women by up to half, and also helps protect the child from influenza in the first months after birth.
Vaccination times:
In general, the months of September and October are the good times to take the flu vaccine. As for the pregnant woman, it is preferable to set the date for taking the vaccination in the third trimester of pregnancy, because this can help protect the child after birth during the first months of his life.
When to see a doctor:
- Difficulty or shortness of breath.
- Constant pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
- Constant dizziness and inability to wake up
- Seizures
- Not urinating
- Severe muscle pain
- Severe weakness
- High body temperature or a cough that gets better and then comes back or gets worse
- A high fever that does not respond to medication.
- Little or no movement of the child
Other preventive measures:
In addition to getting a flu vaccine, pregnant women should take the same daily preventive measures including:
- Avoid sick people.
- Cover the mouth and nose when coughing.
- Wash hands with soap and water.
- Breastfeeding also helps protect the baby from infections (such as influenza).