Flu During Pregnancy
The flu or influenza is a widespread respiratory infection, usually occurring in winter, triggered by a virus that travels easily from one person to the next. For example, when someone who has the flu sneezes, coughs, or speaks, the virus can spread on nearby surfaces and through the air.
The expert team at University Park OBGYN knows that having influenza while pregnant can lead to severe illness when compared to the effects of influenza in people who aren’t pregnant.
Also, those who get the flu during pregnancy have a greater risk of being hospitalized and treated. As such, to learn more about having influenza while pregnant, our team brings you this topic.
How Can The Flu Affect Pregnancy?
Generally, pregnant people are at higher risk of getting the infection than those who are not. Why? Well, unfortunately, pregnancy has a tendency to naturally suppress the body’s defense system against illness, the immune system. Then, the impaired function of the immune system increases infection risks, and the flu is no exception.
Unvaccinated pregnant individuals face an elevated risk of contracting the flu compared to their vaccinated counterparts. Research indicates that flu vaccinations reduce the likelihood of flu infection in pregnant individuals by 50%.
On the other hand, having the flu during pregnancy may also interfere with the baby’s development. Common flu symptoms in pregnancy, like fever, may lead to neural tube defects and other complications during development.
Also, can the flu cause miscarriage? Scientific data suggests that having influenza while pregnant can increase the risks of premature birth, miscarriage, and low birth weight.
The Causes of Flu During Pregnancy and Common Symptoms
Essentially, the same virus is responsible for causing influenza both in nonpregnant and pregnant patients. The virus infects the throat, nose, and lungs, causing similar respiratory symptoms to a cold. Patients may get the flu while inhaling the virus via the air or by touching something with the virus already on it.
The flu becomes contagious as early as one day prior to the onset of symptoms and remains transmissible for five to seven days after the symptoms manifest. This implies that you can transmit the flu to others even before realizing you are unwell.
Flu symptoms in pregnancy are usually the following:
- Nasal congestion
- Dry cough
- Muscle aches
- Runny nose
- Chills
- Headaches
- Sore throat
- Appetite loss
- Fatigue
- Moderate or high fever with a sudden onset
Diagnosing Influenza During Pregnancy
For the most part, healthcare providers may use the same influenza tests on pregnant women that they use on nonpregnant people, such as the following:
- Rapid molecular assay
- RIDT or rapid influenza diagnostic test
Also, your provider may use a cotton swab to wipe your nose’s inside or the back of your throat. This should also be painless and quick.
Treating Flu During Pregnancy
If detected in its early stages, your healthcare provider might recommend an antiviral medication. While antivirals don’t provide a cure for the flu, they can effectively halt the progression of symptoms. Among the available options, many healthcare professionals favor prescribing the oral antiviral oseltamivir (Tamiflu®) for pregnant individuals due to the extensive safety-related research conducted on it.
Also, if battling influenza while pregnant, it’s essential to consult with your provider regarding the medications you can take safely. These may include the following:
- Dextromethorphan (Delsym® or Robitussin®-DM) or cough drops to find relief from respiratory symptoms.
- Acetaminophen, better known as Tylenol®, to reduce fever and other flu symptoms.
Flu symptoms while pregnant can linger on for a week or even more. As such, adequate rest and consuming plenty of fluids are pivotal to avoiding fatigue and dehydration. The medications above can help with symptom management, but please, follow all the instructions on these drugs and prescriptions.
In case you have an antiviral prescription, you should start improvements in your symptoms one or two days after starting your regimen. OCT fever and pain meds may bring relief right away.
Typically, patients should see symptom improvement for at least a week. If that doesn’t happen, they are strongly advised to call their provider.
Preventing The Flu While Pregnant
The most effective means of safeguarding against the flu during pregnancy involves receiving a flu vaccine, preferably before the onset of flu season. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance, pregnant individuals are advised to obtain a flu vaccine at any point during their pregnancy.
Several studies have shown that flu shots for pregnant people are safe, with millions of people getting vaccinated over the years. For instance, one study suggests that the flu vaccine may lower a pregnant woman’s hospitalization risk because of influenza by 40%.
Research has also concluded that these vaccines are capable of protecting the baby even after delivery. The vaccine antibodies pass from the mother to the baby during pregnancy, and breastfeeding will continue to give those antibodies to the baby. This protection is crucial since infants can’t get flu shots until they are at least half a year old.
Also, several studies have shown that flu shots are effective and safe during pregnancy and that flu shots won’t harm the developing baby.
On the other hand, pregnant women should follow the general best practices for flu prevention:
- Covering their nose and mouth
- Engage in frequent hand-washing
- Avoiding touching their nose and eyes
- Avoiding close contact with flu patients
- Clean their surfaces both at work and at home with disinfectants.
Outlook
With timely treatment, most patients recover from influenza without any issues. Still, those pregnant patients are at higher risk of developing severe complications, some of them warranting even hospitalization.
That said, you should contact your healthcare provider if you notice flu symptoms while pregnant.
On the other hand, you should consider visiting the emergency room immediately if you are experiencing the following severe symptoms:
- Shortness of breath and trouble breathing.
- Seizures.
- Not being able to urinate for extended periods.
- Unsteadiness or extreme weakness.
- The baby shows decreased movement or doesn’t move at all.
- Severe pain in your muscles
- The inability to wake up, confusion, or dizziness.
- High fever that won’t improve with medication.
- Ongoing abdominal or chest pressure or pain.
- Constant coughing gets worse.
Take Influenza Seriously
In pregnancy, influenza can pose a significant health risk. If you observe any flu-like symptoms, it is crucial to consult your healthcare provider promptly. Swift administration of antiviral medications in the early stages can alleviate symptoms and expedite your recovery. Additionally, receiving a flu vaccine while pregnant is a safe and highly efficient approach to safeguard both yourself and your baby from the flu. Don’t hesitate to discuss the possibility of getting a flu shot with your healthcare provider today.
Better yet, reach out to us, and learn about your options.
