- Pregnant people are more susceptible to the flu and should get their flu shot as soon as possible.
- Getting the flu while pregnant increases the risk of birth defects and premature birth.
- If you are pregnant with the flu, reach out to your doctor immediately for proper treatment.
- Visit Insider's Health Reference library for more advice.
The flu is more dangerous for pregnant people than it is for other people of similar ages and health statuses.
That's because the immune system changes during pregnancy, making pregnant people more susceptible to influenza.
At the same time, pregnant people have decreased lung capacity and increased need for oxygen, putting them at higher risk for severe flu complications like breathing trouble and pneumonia, says G. Thomas Ruiz, MD, the OB-GYN lead at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center.
The bottom line: "Flu is incredibly dangerous for pregnant women," Ruiz says.
In an average year the flu infects between 9 and 41 million Americans, so it's something many pregnant people will encounter. Luckily, there are ways to protect yourself and your fetus from the most severe impact of the flu.
The flu and pregnancy
Most pregnant people with the flu will recover fully, but it's important to acknowledge that contracting the flu while pregnant is associated with an increased risk for preterm labor and premature birth, says David C. Lagrew Jr., MD, medical director of the Women's and Children's Institute at Providence St. Joseph Hospital.
"Severe disease can lead to the need to deliver early because of the maternal condition becoming unstable, and the inability to nourish and maintain adequate oxygenation of the unborn child," Lagrew says.
Moreover, the flu with fever is linked to a higher rate of birth defects, including spina bifida and cleft palate.
Get your flu shot
The most critical thing pregnant people can do to protect themselves and their babies is to get their flu shot as soon as it is available, Ruiz says.
The flu shot reduces your risk of contracting the flu by 40%-60%. Even more importantly, if you do get sick, being vaccinated means that you're half as likely to have an acute respiratory infection and 40% less likely to be hospitalized.
All flu shots are safe during any trimester of pregnancy. However, pregnant people should not get the nasal spray vaccine, which contains a live virus. Although the virus is weakened, there is a very small risk of it causing the flu in pregnant people. (The nasal spray vaccine is safe for nursing and postpartum people.)
In addition, the second parent, siblings, and anyone else with close contact with the baby should get vaccinated to protect the infant until they're eligible for vaccination at six months, says Lagrew.
Pregnancy flu symptoms
Flu symptoms are the same for pregnant people as they are for people who are not pregnant. They include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Aches, including headache
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Sore throat
- Vomiting (occasionally)
Yet even these routine symptoms can be cause for concern in pregnant people, says Lagrew.
"The most important one to watch out for would be shortness of breath. We also suggest aggressive treatment for fever which can lead to dehydration and in early pregnancy perhaps birth defects," he says.
Treatment
Since routine flu symptoms can cause complications for pregnant people, you should reach out to your doctor at the first sign of flu if you are pregnant, Ruiz says.
Relenza and Tamiflu are both effective antiviral drugs that are safe and recommended for pregnant people to use. However, these drugs must be started within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms.
"If you're symptomatic, call your doctor right away because there are treatments," he says.
When to seek emergency care
The flu can progress quickly in pregnant people, Ruiz says.
Call your doctor or 911 immediately if you experience:
- Shortness of breath
- Decreased fetal movement
Insider's takeaway
The flu is a common illness that most people have had. However, it poses more of a threat to pregnant people and the fetus during pregnancy, putting both the parent and fetus at increased risk.
The best way to reduce your risk from the flu is to get vaccinated and practice routine hand hygiene, says Lagrew.
If you develop symptoms of the flu, you should reach out to your doctor immediately, even if you think that the illness might be minor.
"You should feel like the only time we will get mad is if you don't call," Lagrew says.