Nerdy Millennial

Top Menu

  • About
  • Contact
  • Write For Us

Main Menu

  • Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Blogging
      • Social Media
      • SEO and Keyword Research
  • College
  • Arts & Culture
  • Technology
  • Health and Fitness
    • Nutrition
    • Recipes
      • Baked Goods
      • Breakfast
      • Condiments
      • Dessert
      • Fermented Foods
      • Main Dishes
      • Side Dishes
      • Snacks
      • Soup
    • Keto
    • Vegan
  • Relationships
    • Dating
    • Friendship
    • Parenting
    • Pregnancy & Birth
  • About
  • Contact
  • Write For Us

Nerdy Millennial

Nerdy Millennial

  • Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Blogging
      • Social Media
      • SEO and Keyword Research
  • College
  • Arts & Culture
  • Technology
  • Health and Fitness
    • Nutrition
    • Recipes
      • Baked Goods
      • Breakfast
      • Condiments
      • Dessert
      • Fermented Foods
      • Main Dishes
      • Side Dishes
      • Snacks
      • Soup
    • Keto
    • Vegan
  • Relationships
    • Dating
    • Friendship
    • Parenting
    • Pregnancy & Birth
Pregnancy & Birth
Home›Relationships›Parenting›Pregnancy & Birth›Flu In Pregnancy

Flu In Pregnancy

By Vanessa Pruitt, PLMHP, MS
October 15, 2011
1395
0

During pregnancy, as your body is working overtime to grow and nourish a new little life inside of you, your immune system can become weakened. As different levels of stress are put on your body during different stages of pregnancy, your immune system's function and the stress that it undergoes will vary slightly as well.

In any case, pregnant women tend to be more susceptible to influenza and other viral illnesses. They are more likely to become hospitalized with influenza than other healthy women of the same age. It is more likely that influenza will affect a pregnant woman's heart or lungs while ill with influenza, increasing their risk of complications associated with the virus.

The Influenza Virus

Influenza, commonly known as “the flu”, should not be mistaken for the “stomach flu”. Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness that is caused by a virus.

Symptoms include:
– High Fever
– Extreme Tiredness / Exhaustion
– Headache and Sinus Pressure
– Coughing
– Sore Throat
– Runny or Stuffy Nose
– Muscle Aches

Those with influenza, especially children, may also experience nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea.

Flu Shot and Pregnancy – Is it Safe?

The debate is still strong as to whether or not the flu shot is safe during pregnancy. The CDC says yes, but others (including myself) have their doubts.

Package inserts for the 2010-2011 influenza vaccines state that no adequate or well-controlled studies have been conducted on the safety of influenza vaccines on pregnant women or infants and young children. Those who support vaccines during pregnancy often give a “weakened immune system” as a reason to get the influenza vaccine; However, package inserts warn against the use of vaccines on individuals whose immune system may be weakened or compromised.

If you do decide to get the influenza vaccine during your pregnancy, get the shot and NOT the nasal flu mist, as it is not approved for use during pregnancy. In addition, you should not get the influenza vaccine if you are allergic to eggs, as the vaccine contains egg products.

Preventing Influenza

Prevention is key if you are pregnant during the flu season. In order to decrease your chances of becoming ill, follow these precautions:

  • Avoid close contact with those who are sick.
  • Wash your hands before eating and before touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
  • Stay home when you are sick and encourage others to do the same.
  • Take your prenatal vitamins regularly and consider taking the following extras: Vitamin D, Vitamin C, Calcium, and Folic Acid.

What If I'm Sick?

If you believe that you are sick with influenza you should listen to your body carefully for what to do. Get plenty of rest and drink plenty of “clear” liquids to stay well hydrated. Check with your doctor before taking any over the counter medications; Many over the counter medications are not safe for pregnant women to use. Increase your Vitamin C intake through vitamin capsules and/or foods. If your symptoms become worrisome, check with your doctor or make an appointment asap.

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Vanessa Pruitt, PLMHP, MS
Vanessa Pruitt, PLMHP, MS
Vanessa is a Provisionally Licensed Mental Health Practitioner in Nebraska and holds an MS in Clinical Psychology. She is a certified trauma professional with a special interest in helping people heal from trauma and complex trauma.
Vanessa Pruitt, PLMHP, MS
Latest posts by Vanessa Pruitt, PLMHP, MS (see all)
  • 7 Tips for Taking Better Cell Phone Photos - May 21, 2022
  • Must-Haves for a Modern Website - February 3, 2022
  • 3 Ways to Take Time for Yourself During Pregnancy - January 31, 2022

Related posts:

  1. Benefits of Hiring a Doula
  2. Take Control of Your Care During Pregnancy
  3. The Importance of a Postpartum babymoon
  4. Implantation Bleeding in Early Pregnancy
Tagsbabybirthfetusfluflu during pregnancyflu in pregnancyflu shot and pregnancyflu shot in pregnancyimmunizationinfantinfluenzapregnancypregnantshotvaccinationvaccine

Leave a reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

You Might Also Like...

  • 5 Expert Tips for Engaging in Mindful Drinking
    FeaturedHealth and Fitness

    Mindful Drinking: Addiction Experts Offer 5 Mindful Drinking Tips

  • 10 best fitness tracking websites to help you stay in shape
    FeaturedHealth and Fitness

    10 Best Fitness Tracking Websites to Help You Stay in Shape

  • Soaked Grain Recipes
    FeaturedHealth and FitnessNutrition

    24 Super Simple Soaked Grain Recipes

  • 3 Quick and Easy Ways to Manifest Money
    FeaturedFinancesSpirituality

    3 Quick and Easy Ways to Manifest Money

About Nerdy Millennial

This blog all about millennials sharing their passion, ideas, and expertise about blogging, healthy living, self-improvement, education, parenting, and more!

Interested in contributing? Contact us to pitch your idea or submit an article.

Featured Posts

FeaturedHealth and Fitness

7 Tips for Hitting Your Goals

It can be so hard to define and work towards the goals that you have set for yourself. It’s very easy to daydream, to stare into the sky, and picture ...
  • Developing a Present Moment Connection with Your Baby In Utero

    Developing a Present Moment Connection with Your Baby In Utero

    By Contributing Author
    June 5, 2022
  • The 5 Benefits Of Fishing From A Kayak

    The 5 Benefits Of Fishing From A Kayak

    By Contributing Author
    April 25, 2022
  • Treating PCOS-Related Infertility With Weight Loss Surgery

    Treating PCOS-Related Infertility With Weight Loss Surgery

    By Dr. Laura July
    April 15, 2022
  • DIY Wall String Art for Beginners

    DIY Wall String Art for Beginners

    By Ian Walsh
    April 8, 2022
  • How to Practice Gratitude in 2022

    How to Practice Gratitude in 2022

    By Dr. Krishna Bhatta
    April 8, 2022
  • 10 Ways Women Can Advance the Gender Equality Movement — Today

    By Contributing Author
    April 7, 2022
  • Are Cheat Meals or Cheat Days Allowed on Keto?

    Are Cheat Meals or Cheat Days Allowed on Keto?

    By Ian Walsh
    April 2, 2022
  • Why You Should Thoroughly Embrace Your Geeky Interests

    Why You Should Thoroughly Embrace Your Geeky Interests

    By Contributing Author
    March 9, 2022
  • Soaked Grain Recipes

    24 Super Simple Soaked Grain Recipes

    By Vanessa Pruitt, PLMHP, MS
    January 31, 2022

Join Us on Facebook

Search

  • Home
  • About
  • Contact Us
  • Write For Us
  • Comment Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
Manage Cookie Consent
We use cookies to optimize our website and our service.
Functional cookies Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Manage options Manage services Manage vendors Read more about these purposes
View preferences
{title} {title} {title}