What Pregnant Women Should Know About Flu
- Pregnant women and recently pregnant women have a higher risk of developing flu-related complications.
- You should get vaccinated against flu.
- There are some steps you can do to protect children under 6 months old.
- Antiviral medications can be given to pregnant women. Take direction from your doctor regarding medications and treatment.
- Breastfeed your infant because breast milk passes on antibodies from the mother to a baby.
- Emergency medical care may become necessary. Know the signs.
Pregnancy and Flu
Flu is more likely to cause severe illness in pregnant women than in women who are not pregnant. Pregnant woman with flu also have a greater chance for serious problems for their unborn baby, including premature labor and delivery.
Protect Your Unborn Child
If you are pregnant, you should get vaccinated against flu as soon as possible. The flu shot given during pregnancy has been shown to protect both the mother and her baby (up to 6 months old) from flu. Note that pregnant women should not receive the nasal-spray flu vaccine LAIV (FluMist®)
- Severe illness in the mother can be stressful to the fetus.
- Changes to a pregnant woman’s immune system can make her more sensitive to the flu and result in serious complications if she is infected with flu.
- A diagnosis of infection in the fetus or infant can be challenging. The effects of the flu on a fetus are also difficult to predict.
After Pregnancy
Women who have given birth, similar to pregnant women, might be at increased risk for severe complications and death from flu.
- Women should be considered to be at increased risk of influenza-related complications up to 2 weeks after giving birth (including following pregnancy loss).
- Women who are up to 2 weeks postpartum (including following pregnancy loss), and who are suspected or confirmed to have flu, should receive antiviral treatment as soon as possible.
Vaccinations: Seasonal and H1N1
You need only one vaccine to be fully protected during the 2010-2011 flu season. This year's seasonal flu vaccine includes protection from the H1N1 (Swine) flu vaccine.
- Pregnant women should not receive the nasal-spray flu vaccine LAIV (FluMist®)
- As is always the case with seasonal vaccine, younger children who have never had a seasonal vaccine will still need two doses.
Protect Your Newborn
Flu vaccine has not been approved for use in babies under 6 months old. However, there are some things you can do to help protect your baby:
- Keep your infant out of crowded areas and away from people who are sick.
- Avoid sharing of toys and other items that have been in infants' mouths.
- Wash thoroughly with soap and water any items that have been in infants' mouths.
What To Do If You Get Sick
If you have flu-like symptoms, contact your doctor. Doctors have guidance on the proper medications and treatment to use with pregnant women that will not harm your baby.
- If you are sick, stay home (except to get medical care) and limit contact with others.
- Treat a fever right away with acetaminophen (Tylenol®). It is the best over-the-counter treatment of fever in pregnancy.
- Drink plenty of fluids to replace those you lose when you are sick.
- If you are not sick but have close contact with someone who has flu or is being treated for exposure to flu, ask your doctor whether you need treatment with antivirals to reduce your chances of getting the flu.
Treatment Recommendations
Your doctor will decide if treatment with antiviral drugs is needed.
- Antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications.
- Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaled powder) that fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body.
- Treatment with the antiviral drug oseltamivir (Tamiflu ®) or zanamivir (Relenza®) should start within 48 hours after symptoms begin to get the most benefit. Treatment should continue for 5 days.
Guidance on Breastfeeding
Do not stop breastfeeding if you are sick. Mothers who are breastfeeding should continue to nurse their babies while being treated for the flu. Babies who are breastfed do not get as sick and are sick less often from the flu, than do babies who are not breastfed.
Breastfeeding protects babies. Breast milk passes on antibodies from the mother to a baby. Antibodies help fight off infection.
- If possible, only adults who are not sick should care for infants, including providing feedings.
- If you are too sick to breastfeed, pump and have someone give your milk to your baby.
- Be careful not to cough or sneeze in the baby’s face
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially before handling your baby.
When to Get Emergency Medical Care
The flu might progress quickly in pregnant women, and be complicated by bacterial infections, such as pneumonia. If you have any of the following signs, you should seek emergency medical care right away:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
- Sudden dizziness, confusion
- Severe or persistent vomiting
- Decreased or no movement of your baby
- High fever that is not responding to Tylenol® or other acetaminophen
