During this precious time when you are expecting to become a mother, it is normal to feel very scared even if you catch a cold, right? Especially when you hear about the flu, which is spreading everywhere these days, or influenza in medical terms. So today, let's talk about the flu during pregnancy, the effects it can have on you and your baby, how to protect yourself, and what to do if you get it. Don't be afraid, the most important thing is to be aware.
What does it mean to get the flu during pregnancy?
Simply put, the flu is a respiratory illness caused by a virus . It's like the common cold, but more severe. It's especially common in the winter. The virus can spread very quickly from person to person. Think about it, when someone with the flu coughs, sneezes, or talks, the virus can be released into the air and can also linger on surfaces they touch.
While a non-pregnant person usually recovers from the flu within a few days, a pregnant woman can get seriously ill with the flu . Sometimes, hospitalization may be necessary. So if you are pregnant and feel like you have flu symptoms, it is important to seek medical advice immediately .
Why is a pregnant mother more likely to develop this?
You may be wondering, "Why am I more likely to get this than other people?" This is because your immune system naturally weakens during pregnancy. This means that your body's defenses against disease are somewhat muted. This helps prevent your baby from being rejected by your body. But this also means you're more susceptible to infections like the flu. Studies have shown that pregnant women who don't get the flu vaccine are more likely to get the flu than those who do.
If you get the flu during pregnancy, will it affect the baby?
Yes, unfortunately, if you get the flu during pregnancy, it can also affect the development of your unborn baby . The fever that is common with the flu, especially in the early weeks of pregnancy, can cause other complications, such as neural tube defects, which can occur in the developing baby's brain and spinal cord.
Not only that, studies have shown that contracting the flu during pregnancy also increases the risk of miscarriage , premature birth, and low birth weight .
How does this flu develop?
The flu is caused by the same virus in both pregnant and non-pregnant people. This virus infects parts of your respiratory system, such as your lungs, nose, and throat, causing symptoms similar to the common cold. You can get the disease by breathing in the virus or by touching something that has the virus on it and then touching your nose, mouth, or eyes.
Did you know that you can spread the flu from one day before your symptoms start until about 5-7 days after you get better? That means you can still spread it to someone else, even if you don't know you have the flu.
What are the symptoms of the flu during pregnancy?
There are a few key symptoms of the flu during pregnancy that are important to recognize:
- Feeling cold and like you have a cold (Chills)
- Dry cough
- Headache
- Loss of appetite
- Nasal congestion
- Muscle aches
- Runny nose
- Sore throat
- Sudden onset of moderate to high fever
- Feeling very tired (Fatigue)
If you have one or more of these symptoms, see a doctor immediately.
How does a doctor diagnose it as the flu?
To find out for sure if you have the flu, your doctor may do some tests. For example:
- Rapid Influenza Diagnostic Test (RIDT): This can provide results within 10-15 minutes.
- Rapid Molecular Assay: This can provide results within 15-20 minutes.
In both of these tests, the doctor takes a sample by gently wiping the inside of your nose or the back of your throat with a long cotton swab. This is a quick, painless test.
What is the treatment for flu during pregnancy?
If the illness is caught early, your doctor may prescribe antiviral medication . While these medications won't cure the flu, they can help stop symptoms from getting worse. Many doctors recommend a pill called Oseltamivir (Tamiflu®) for pregnant women.
Also, talk to your doctor about other medications that you can safely take during pregnancy. For example:
- Acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol®) : Reduce fever and control other flu symptoms. Controlling fever is especially important for your baby's safety.
- Dextromethorphan (e.g. Robitussin®-DM or Delsym®) , Guaifenesin (e.g. Mucinex®)Or cough drops: Reduce respiratory problems such as cough and phlegm.
Important: Always seek medical advice before taking any medication during pregnancy. Do not self-medicate with over-the-counter medications.
How to get relief from the flu at home?
Flu symptoms can last for about a week, maybe longer. During this time, there are a few things you can do at home to help you feel better:
- Get plenty of rest. Don't overwork your body.
- Drink plenty of fluids. Things like water, soup, and fruit juice can help prevent dehydration.
- Take medications, such as acetaminophen , as prescribed or advised by your doctor.
- Read the instructions for any medicine carefully and use it accordingly.
How quickly will I recover after taking the medicine?
If your doctor prescribes antiviral medication, you should start to feel a reduction in symptoms within a day or two. Over-the-counter (OTC) medications for fever and body aches will start to provide relief almost immediately.
You should usually feel much better within 5-7 days. However, if there is no improvement after a week, be sure to see your doctor again .
How to avoid getting the flu during pregnancy?
"It's better to be safe than sorry." So the best and most important way to protect yourself from getting the flu during pregnancy is to get a flu shot . It's best to get the vaccine before the flu season starts. But you can get the vaccine at any time during your pregnancy.
In addition, follow these simple steps to protect yourself from the flu:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth frequently. You can inadvertently introduce viruses.
- Clean surfaces at home and at work regularly with disinfectant, such as doorknobs, desks, and telephones.
- When coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your elbow.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water. For at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap is not available.
Is the flu vaccine safe during pregnancy? Will it harm the baby?
Yes, it is definitely safe! Many studies have confirmed the safety and effectiveness of getting the flu vaccine during pregnancy. In fact, it is the single best way for a pregnant mother to protect herself from the flu.
Don't worry about harming the baby. No, the vaccine will not harm the baby.In fact, this vaccine also benefits the baby. When you get this vaccine during pregnancy, the antibodies that fight the flu pass through the placenta to the baby. Also, after the baby is born, the baby receives these antibodies through breast milk, providing further protection against the flu.
What happens if you get the flu during pregnancy? (Outlook)
If caught early and treated properly, most pregnant women recover from the flu without any problems. However, pregnant women are more likely to develop serious complications from the flu. Sometimes, they may even need to be hospitalized. That's why we recommend that you seek medical advice immediately if you have symptoms.
When should I see a doctor?
If you have any flu symptoms, or any unusual or suspicious symptoms, see a doctor without delay. Don't think twice about it, especially if you are pregnant.
In what situations do you need to go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) ?
Sometimes the symptoms of the flu can be very severe. If you have any of these severe symptoms, go to the nearest hospital emergency room immediately, or call 1990:
- Decreased or lost baby movements.
- Dizziness, loss of consciousness, or being too sleepy to be awakened.
- Feeling extremely weak or having difficulty walking.
- Fever or cough that is increasing or decreasing or getting worse.
- High fever that does not go down despite taking acetaminophen.
- Not urinating for a long time.
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen.
- Seizures.
- Severe muscle pain.
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath.
Do not ignore any of these symptoms. These are emergencies.
How can I take care of my baby and I when I have the flu?
Here are the best ways to protect yourself and your unborn baby when you have the flu:
- Take all medications prescribed by the doctor exactly and on time.
- Get plenty of rest. Give your body time to heal.
- Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.
- Try to prevent spreading the virus to others (e.g., stay away from other people in the house, preferably in a separate room, wash your hands frequently, and clean surfaces).
Flu during pregnancy is not an illness to be taken lightly. Therefore, if you have flu symptoms, seek medical advice. If you start treatment with antiviral medications at the earliest stage, you can reduce the severity of symptoms and recover quickly. Also, getting the flu vaccine during pregnancy is a great help in protecting you and your baby.
Take-Home Message
This is a very precious time for you to be a mother. So, it's important to take care of protecting yourself and your baby from illnesses like the flu.
- The best protection is to get the flu shot. It's safe and beneficial for both you and your baby.
- If you have flu symptoms, seek medical advice without delay.
- Follow the treatment given by the doctor exactly.
- Get plenty of rest, drink fluids, and stay clean.
- If you have serious symptoms , go to the hospital immediately.
Don't be afraid, awareness is your greatest strength. Wishing you a healthy, happy pregnancy!
👩🏽⚕️ Additional questions (FAQs)
💬 Is it safe to give a baby cough medicine (baby cough medicine) from the pharmacy or the cough syrup that the mother drank during pregnancy?
Never do that! The respiratory system and liver of young children are not as developed as those of adults. When the chemicals in adult pharmacy syrups (e.g. Codeine/Dextromethorphan) enter the baby's body, they can completely stop breathing (Respiratory depression) and even kill the baby! Also, even medications taken during pregnancy should not be given to babies under 2 years of age without a written prescription from a pediatrician!
💬 What medicines can/shouldn't a pregnant mother take when she has whooping cough?
You need to be very careful when you have a cough during pregnancy. Although you can take regular Paracetamol for fever/pain, never take strong painkillers like Ibuprofen/Aspirin (they can cause serious damage to the baby's heart/kidneys). You can rinse your nose with saline for a cough. But do not take any medicine without the approval of a VOG doctor!
💬 What are the fatal/emergency situations that require immediate hospitalization for a baby or pregnant woman with a cough?
If a cough has been present for more than 2 weeks, you should take medicine. But the biggest danger! 1) If the cough is accompanied by 'shortness of breath', 2) If the cough is accompanied by red blood (coughing up blood), 3) If the child's lips/face turn blue (cyanosis - oxygen levels have dropped to zero), you should go to the hospital's emergency department without delay!
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