Pregnancy complications

• Pregnancy complications may need special medical care.
• Common problems include anemia, diabetes and bleeding.
• Ask your provider about the signs of serious complications.

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The flu (influenza) is an illness that is easily spread. It’s caused by a virus. The flu typically spreads during winter months.

When someone with the flu coughs, sneezes or speaks, flu viruses spread into the air. You can get the flu if you breathe in one of the viruses. You also can get the flu if you touch something (like a door handle or a phone) that has a flu virus on it and then you touch your nose, eyes or mouth.

For most people, the flu makes them sick. But for some, the flu can lead to severe illness and life-threatening health issues. Pregnant women are at high risk of having health problems from the flu.

What are symptoms of flu?
You may have the flu if you:

• Have a fever
• Have chills
• Have a cough
• Have a sore throat
• Have a runny or stuffy nose
• Have muscle or body aches
• Have headaches
• Feel very tired
• Have vomiting and diarrhea (more common in children)

How can flu harm your pregnancy?
Health problems from flu, such as pneumonia, can be serious and even deadly, especially if you’re pregnant.

One reason that flu can be harmful during pregnancy is that pregnancy affects your immune system. Your immune system is your body’s way of protecting itself from illnesses and diseases. When your body senses something like a virus that can harm your health, your immune system works hard to fight the virus.

When you’re pregnant, your immune system isn’t as quick to respond to illnesses as it was before pregnancy. Your body knows that pregnancy is OK and that it shouldn’t reject your baby. So, your body naturally lowers the immune system’s ability to protect you and respond to illnesses so that it can welcome your growing baby. But a lowered immune system means you’re more likely to catch illnesses like the flu.

Another reason flu can be harmful during pregnancy is that your lungs need more oxygen, especially in your second and third trimesters, for you and your baby. Your growing belly puts pressure on your lungs, making them work harder in a smaller space. You may even find yourself feeling shortness of breath at times. Your heart is working hard, too! It’s busy supplying blood to you and your baby. All of this means your body is stressed during pregnancy. This stress on your body can make you more likely to get an illness like the flu.

Is it safe to get a flu shot during pregnancy?
Yes. Flu shots are safe at any time during pregnancy. Almost all women who are or will be pregnant during flu season (October through May) can get a flu shot. Getting the flu shot can help protect you from getting the flu and spreading it to others. But don’t use the nasal flu mist vaccine because it’s not meant for pregnant women.

Getting a flu shot during pregnancy can be good for your baby, too. Babies born to women who get the flu shot during pregnancy are less likely than babies whose moms don’t get the shot to develop serious complications from the flu after birth.

Some pregnant women shouldn’t get the flu vaccine because they have a health problem that can be affected by the shot. For example, if you’re allergic to eggs, don’t get the flu vaccine because it’s made with eggs. Your health care provider can tell you if there are any reasons why you shouldn’t get the flu shot. But it’s safe for most pregnant women.

The 2011-2012 flu vaccine protects you against both seasonal flu and the 2009 H1N1 flu (a kind of flu that spread around the world in 2009).

How is flu treated?
If you have flu symptoms, call your health care provider right away. He can give you medicines to help protect you and your baby from the flu. Some medicines can help fight and prevent flu viruses, but they can only be given by a health care provider. It’s important to get these medicines right away.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends two flu medicines:
1. Oseltamivir (Tamiflu)
2. Zanamivir (Relenza)

Talk to your provider to see which medicine is best for you.

Fever and most other symptoms can last a week or longer. If you’re uncomfortable from fever, ask your health care provider if you can take acetaminophen (Tylenol).

When you have the flu, get lots of rest and drink plenty of fluids. You may not want to eat much. Try eating small meals to help your body get better.

When should you call your health care provider?
Call your health care provider right away if you have any of these signs:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or belly
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Flu symptoms that improve but then return with fever and worse cough

How can you stop flu from spreading?
When you have the flu, you can spread it to others. Here’s what you can do to help stop the flu from spreading:

• Stay home when you’re sick.
• Limit your contact with others.
• Don’t kiss anyone on or around the mouth.
• Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your arm. Throw used tissues in the trash.
• Try not to touch your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Wash your hands with soap and water before touching anyone. You also can use alcohol-based hand rubs (sanitizers).
• Use hot, soapy water or a dishwasher to wash your dishes and utensils.
• Don’t share your dishes, glasses, utensils or toothbrush.

For more information
Flu.gov

November 2011

See also: Flu and your baby, Vaccinations during pregnancy