Influenza in pregnancy

In pregnancy the immune system is less efficient, so you are more vulnerable to infections, such as the flu. The first rule, therefore, is to prevent.

In this period the immune defenses are weaker, so you are more vulnerable to infections, for example the flu.

A flu during pregnancy rarely causes problems to the fetus: the virus that causes the disease, in fact, is not able to reach the unborn child, as it is protected by the barrier of the placenta. The risk of fetal transmission of the disease, therefore, occurs only if the placenta is damaged.

But be careful: since the pregnant woman’s immune system is less efficient, the risk of complications such as pneumonia is higher.

For a completely quiet pregnancy, therefore, it is good to prevent. Prevention is in fact the most effective weapon to avoid possible complications not only during gestation, but also near childbirth and during breastfeeding.

Even being careful, however, it can happen to catch the flu, so what to do? First of all, it is always good to contact your doctor to assess the situation and take the right measures that can help you better overcome the disease.

Flu and pregnancy

If you get sick during pregnancy, do not panic or have excessive worries, or take incorrect measures.

During this period, the symptoms of the flu are in fact always the same: feeling of having “broken bones”, joint pain, headaches, colds, coughs and phlegm. In some women, the flu can also cause nausea and vomiting, especially in younger women. However, the most important symptom is fever, which can reach or exceed 38°C in a short time.

It is important to remember that in pregnancy the body temperature is already about half a degree higher than normal due to the dilating action on blood vessels by progesterone, a hormone whose synthesis normally increases in this period. If, however, after a few days of its appearance, the fever does not pass, a bacterial infection may have occurred. It will then be the gynecologist or the attending physician to evaluate the need to prescribe an antibiotic, chosen from those allowed during gestation.

In addition, it is good to pay attention to very high fever peaks because, in addition to setting in motion the natural defenses of the future mother’s body, they can also determine the appearance of contractions in the uterus which, in turn, can cause premature birth.

First rule: prevention

In addition to increasing the risk of complications of influenza, such as pneumonia, in pregnant women, the infection also increases the likelihood of hospitalization compared to non-pregnant women of the same age.

For this reason, the scientific community, the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization recommend not only the general population, but especially pregnant women and other categories at risk, to undergo flu vaccination.

The flu vaccine can be a good option to prevent the flu: some flu vaccines in fact do not contain live viruses and therefore cannot cause the disease or have important side effects, for this reason they are strongly recommended by the Ministry of Health even during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

In addition, recent studies have shown that this vaccine reduces the number of cases of influenza among newborns and the risk of miscarriage, allergies and even serious respiratory diseases.

Some people may experience fatigue and muscle pain after vaccination due to the reaction of the immune system. Other disorders can be a mild fever or a swelling in the puncture area, which however disappear on their own within a few hours and without any treatment, with total well-being for the mother.

It takes about two weeks for coverage to be complete. The flu season can start as early as October and last until May, so mid-September and the end of October are the best times to get vaccinated. In any case, if you have not done it before, it is wise to do it later, but if the pregnancy has already begun, it is recommended to get the vaccine at the end of the first trimester.

Serves even after childbirth

The flu vaccination is also to be considered immediately after the birth of the baby, when returning home from the hospital, asking for the advice of the doctor. In the first months, the newborn absorbs a lot of time and energy to the new mother: avoiding getting sick, vaccination is an important “help”. In addition, when a woman breastfeeds, antibodies against influenza viruses pass to babies, who are thus protected from infection.

Influenza and parainfluenza viruses

To cause symptoms very similar to those of the flu are often the so-called parainfluenza syndromes. Also in this case they are viruses, which belong to the genus paramyxovirus, unlike those properly influenza which instead are of the genus orthomyxovirus.

The actual flu usually causes greater disturbances than parainfluenza and to appear at the same time are always:

– fever, often high and appearing suddenly

– a respiratory symptom (cough, cold, sore throat)

– a systemic symptom (muscle or joint pain, headache, fatigue).

Parainfluenza, on the other hand, is milder and manifests itself with no more than two symptoms at a time: they are usually characterized by pain and exhaustion accompanied by fever or respiratory symptoms. In addition, parainfluenza viruses can strike throughout the year and the only way to prevent infection is to avoid sudden changes in temperature, places that are too crowded, wash your hands often and follow a healthy diet. The flu vaccine, on the other hand, does not provide any kind of protection in this case.

Useful tips in case of flu

In most cases, influenza is a seasonal disease that has a course that does not cause concern, usually lasts 5-7 days and can be treated safely at home. There are some measures that can help you feel better. Here they are:

• increase rest periods;
• raise your head using pillows when lying down to improve breathing;
• use a vaporizer or make frequent fumigations to help thin secretions;
• moisturize the mucous membranes with frequent nasal washes or with aerosols with physiological solutions or sea water;
• If you have pain in the area of the sinuses, above and below the eyes and around the cheekbones, apply warm compresses to help relieve congestion
• Chew sugar-based pastilles or candies or drink a cup of warm milk with honey to relieve sore throat and cough, as well as freshly squeezed orange juice rich in vitamin C.

In addition to citrus fruits, there are other sources of vitamin C:

Do not underestimate nutrition

Pregnancy greatly engages a woman’s organism. Following a correct diet, thanks to new knowledge in the field of nutrition, it is possible to avoid or prevent many disorders, borne by both mother and baby. An appropriate diet is in fact able to reduce the negative effects due to fever, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, frequent responsible for dehydration. In addition, you should:

– increase fluid intake. Water is very important, so drink as much as possible even taking fruit juices, smoothies and everything that can provide, in addition to liquids, also nutrients because in these cases appetite can be reduced

– if you do not feel like eating, try to maintain the right nutritional intake, consuming six small meals instead of three regular meals, avoiding long fasts and preferring more caloric foods in the morning and at lunch

– prefer light, digestible foods with a high content of vitamins and mineral salts.

What drugs to use in pregnancy?

During pregnancy it is always better to avoid taking medication, especially if not strictly necessary and always under the supervision of the doctor.