The most common type of flu is type A. This is the one you’re more likely to get while pregnant. Since the flu can be a severe illness in pregnancy, getting a flu shot is important.
Influenza A is the most common type of flu. Getting any type of flu during pregnancy can be a serious medical concern. You’re more likely to need hospitalization for the flu during pregnancy than people who aren’t pregnant, and having the flu during pregnancy can also pose a risk to a developing baby.
That’s why getting a flu vaccine is so important if you’re pregnant. Read on for more information about having the flu during pregnancy and what you can do to protect yourself and your baby.
Here’s more information about the flu if you want to know more.
There are four main types of influenza virus: A, B, C, and D. Type A is the most common. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),
Type A flu variants are used to make annual flu vaccines, and they’re adjusted slightly each year to be as effective as possible. Since type A is so common, this is the most likely type of flu virus you may get during pregnancy.
The symptoms of type A flu are general flu symptoms that may start suddenly and include:
- fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher (You may still have the flu even if you don’t have a fever.)
- chills
- sore throat
- cough
- nasal congestion
- body or muscle aches
- headache
- fatigue
- vomiting
- diarrhea
Pregnancy can affect your immune system, making you more likely to get illnesses like the flu. Having the flu can also increase your risk of pregnancy complications, such as:
- hospitalization
- preterm labor (before 37 weeks of pregnancy)
- preterm delivery (37 weeks of gestation)
In very rare circumstances, having the flu while pregnant may increase your risk of death from the flu.
Having the flu during pregnancy can also affect your baby in several ways. If you have a high fever while pregnant, your baby may develop congenital conditions, such as neural tube abnormalities and changes in the fetal heart.
If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, the best way to protect yourself and your baby from the flu is to get a flu vaccine. The
Do not get the nasal mist flu vaccine if you’re pregnant. It’s made with a live virus and isn’t as safe for you and your baby during pregnancy.
Another advantage to getting a flu shot during pregnancy is that it may protect your baby after birth. The antibodies you develop from the vaccine can pass to your baby before birth. If you breastfeed your newborn, these antibodies may also pass through your breastmilk.
An older study of the 2010 through 2012 flu seasons found that individuals who were vaccinated during pregnancy had a 50% lower risk of developing flu-associated acute respiratory infection than those who weren’t vaccinated during pregnancy.
In a 2018 study, researchers found that individuals who had a flu shot during pregnancy had as much as a 40% reduced risk of being hospitalized from the flu during pregnancy.
Which flu vaccine is safe during pregnancy?
The two types of flu vaccines are a shot and a nasal mist. The shot uses an inactive form of the flu virus, and the nasal mist uses an active form (a live attenuated virus). The CDC recommends getting the flu shot if you’re pregnant.
The nasal mist is safe once you have your baby and while breastfeeding.
What about allergies?
If you have an allergy to any part of a flu vaccine or if you’ve ever had a severe allergic reaction to a flu vaccine, do not get a flu shot.
You may still be able to get an annual flu shot even if you have an egg protein allergy.
Before you get a flu shot, it’s important to discuss any allergies you have with your healthcare professional. Be sure to mention if you’ve ever had a bad reaction to a flu shot in the past, too.
Flu is generally diagnosed based on your symptoms, but
Flu tests include:
- rapid influenza diagnostic tests, which deliver results within 10 to 15 minutes
- rapid molecular assays, which detect genetic material of the flu virus
- tests that use a sample from a swab of your nose and throat and must be sent to a lab, such as reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, viral culture, and immunofluorescence assays
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Flu treatment can range from resting at home to taking prescription antiviral medications. Here are common flu treatments during pregnancy:
Home remedies
Getting plenty of rest, drinking lots of water, and taking over-the-counter symptom relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) may help relieve your flu symptoms.
If you’re trying to treat the flu during your pregnancy, there are some treatments you may need to avoid. Always speak with your OB-GYN or healthcare professional before taking any over-the-counter medications during your pregnancy. Not all are safe or recommended for use during pregnancy.
Prescription antiviral medications
Relenza and Tamiflu are FDA approved antiviral medications for treating the flu. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), both are safe for use during pregnancy.
You need a prescription for these medications, and it’s important to take them as soon as possible. The recommendations for these antivirals are that you begin taking them within 2 days of the start of your flu symptoms and continue taking them for at least 5 days.
Influenza A is the most common type of flu virus and the one you’re most likely to get during pregnancy and during your life. The flu can be very serious during pregnancy and can affect your baby. That’s why getting a flu vaccine is important if you plan to get pregnant or are pregnant.
Having a flu vaccine during pregnancy not only protects you, but it can also help protect your baby from the flu after birth.