Pregnant women are at higher risk of severe flu symptoms, complications such as dehydration and bacterial pneumonia, and their babies being born with spina bifida. Medications used to treat the flu can also be dangerous for the baby. The flu shot is considered safer for pregnant women.
Getting the flu while pregnant can present various health risks for both mother and baby. The expectant mother is more likely to experience more severe flu symptoms and may take longer to recover. This can lead to a higher chance of complications such as dehydration and bacterial pneumonia. Women who catch the flu while pregnant also have an increased risk of their baby being born with spina bifida, a birth defect that can cause paralysis and permanent problems with the digestive system. All of these risks, along with treatment restrictions for pregnant women, can make it dangerous to get the flu while pregnant.
When a woman is pregnant, her immune system weakens as the pregnancy progresses and puts extra strain on the heart and lungs. If you get flu while you are pregnant, your body may not be able to fight the virus properly. This can cause symptoms that are much more severe than usual, especially nasal congestion, which is a common side effect of pregnancy itself. The weakened immune system can also cause a pregnant woman to take much longer to recover, which makes her more vulnerable to developing complications from the flu.
Severe flu can cause many other problems, most commonly bacterial pneumonia and extreme dehydration. Because of the strain pregnancy places on the immune system, heart and lungs, a pregnant woman is much more likely to develop these health problems which can be harmful to both her and the baby. Bacterial pneumonia, one of the top ten causes of death in the United States, is exacerbated by a pregnant woman’s weakened immune system. It can also limit the amount of oxygen the fetus receives, which can limit development and increase the risk of miscarriage. Dehydration can limit the amount of nutrients the unborn baby receives, also affecting fetal development.
When a woman catches the flu during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester, the risk of her baby being born with spina bifida also increases. The abnormally high fever that many pregnant women experience while battling the flu can cause this birth defect. If bacterial pneumonia is contracted in the early stages of pregnancy, a lack of oxygen to the baby can also increase the risk of spina bifida.
Aside from the underlying health concerns, some of the medications commonly used to treat the flu, including many decongestants and pain relievers, are considered dangerous to take during pregnancy. This can limit a woman’s treatment options or put the baby at greater risk if such treatments are needed. The flu shot, however, is considered safer for pregnant women than actually getting the flu; most doctors advise pregnant women without egg allergies to get the seasonal flu vaccine as soon as it is available.
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