Every year there are usually influenza epidemics. Due to its being a rather common illness, you could catch it during your pregnancy. Just as with any other infectious diseases during pregnancy, the onset of influenza should be closely monitored to avoid complications that could affect your pregnancy.  

What is influenza?

Influenza, or “flu", is a respiratory disease that is easily contagious by means of sneezing or coughing. When another person inhales the virus in the air, she can become infected. Two typical complications are bacterial pneumonia and dehydration.

The most common symptoms of influenza are, amongst others: fever, muscular pain, sore throat, chills or congestion. Sometimes, stomach or intestinal disorders could also happen. Because pregnancy causes changes in the immune system, it is important to closely monitor a pregnant woman if she has become ill with influenza. There is a three day window from the moment when a person is infected until the onset of the first symptoms.

Treatment of influenza

Because influenza is caused by a virus, there are is no possible treatment with antibiotics (such as when the illness is caused by bacteria).  The symptoms are alleviated with medication. For example, the doctor can prescribe medication for fever or congestion.

If you think you may have become infected by influenza, it is important that you speak to your doctor as soon as possible and that you don’t take any medications that have not been prescribed by your practitioner.  Don’t take something just because your partner or a family member did well on it while suffering from the flu. Not all meds are safe during pregnancy.

Speak with your doctor especially if you are in your first weeks of pregnancy and you have a fever. High fever is not good to have during pregnancy because it can interfere in the baby’s development, although the risk is very small. Your doctor can prescribe medication to keep your fever in check.

Some of the things you can do to feel better are:  

• Drink a lot of fluids: water, soup, juice or gelatin. 

• Eat small meals, but don’t stop eating completely even if you aren’t hungry.

• Use saline sprays or vapor baths to relieve your nose if you are quite congested, but avoid using decongestant drops because they can be harmful.  

• Rest as much as you can, propped up on pillows if you feel quite congested.

If you are coughing a lot or feel a lot of congestion, monitor the color of your secretions so you can inform your doctor.  

Preventing influenza

Every year, vaccines are made for the type of influenza epidemic that is expected. In general, vaccines for influenza are considered safe during pregnancy and they can prevent you from having to suffer from the illness. The viruses that are injected in these vaccines are inactive. That means that they are not infectious. The vaccines are usually available between October and May, which is the flu season.  

Other more common and also effective measures are staying away from people with the flu, washing your hands frequently, whether you have been in contact with ill people or not, and avoid touching your nose or mouth with unwashed hands, because the nose  and mouth are the points of entry for the influenza virus.