It’s busy supplying blood to you and your baby. All of this means your body is stressed during pregnancy. This stress on your body can make you more likely to get the flu. If you’re pregnant or had a baby within the last 2 weeks, you’re more likely than other women to have serious health problems from the flu.
What to do if you get the flu while pregnant?
If you are pregnant and think you have the flu, see your doctor as soon as possible. It is recommended that pregnant women who have the flu are treated with antiviral medicines because they are at much higher risk of complications. Antiviral medicines work best when started within 48 hours of symptoms starting.
Does flu affect the baby when pregnant?
Flu also may be harmful for a pregnant person’s developing baby. A common flu symptom is fever, which may be associated with neural tube defects and other adverse outcomes for a developing baby.
How can I avoid getting the flu while pregnant?
To avoid catching the illness when you’re pregnant:
- Wash your hands often.
- Avoid crowds.
- Stay away from people who have a cold.
- Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs are often spread when you touch a contaminated surface and then touch these areas.
How long does the flu last pregnant?
They may last as long as 1 to 2 days. If they last longer than 2 days, you should call your provider. HOW DO I TREAT THE FLU IF I’M PREGNANT? Experts recommend treating pregnant women with flu-like illness as soon as possible after they develop symptoms.
At what stage is flu contagious?
When Flu Spreads
People with flu are most contagious in the first three to four days after their illness begins. Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 to 7 days after becoming sick.
Is it bad to get sick while pregnant?
Getting sick is never fun, but getting sick while pregnant is even worse. It is common for the immune system to weaken while you are pregnant, which makes you more susceptible to getting sick.
Can coughing hurt the baby while pregnant?
Does coughing during pregnancy harm the baby? Coughing during pregnancy doesn’t harm the baby, as it isn’t a dangerous symptom and the baby doesn’t feel it.
Can I take vitamin C while pregnant?
You can easily get the vitamin C you need from fruits and vegetables, and your prenatal vitamins also contain vitamin C. It’s not a good idea to take large doses of vitamin C when you’re pregnant. The maximum daily amount that’s considered safe is 1800 mg for women 18 and younger and 2000 mg for women 19 and over.
Does the flu virus cross the placenta?
Human decidua seems to provide a more favorable environment for viral replication than placental tissues. These studies suggest that the influenza virus is capable of spreading from the maternal blood stream to the maternal decidua in order to replicate within the tissue and then infect the fetal chorion and amnion.
Can I take grandpa while pregnant?
Grandpa contains caffeine and aspirin so is not advisable in pregnancy. However, if you stop using it now, the risk should be relatively small.