Type A flu is the most prevalent kind. Pregnancy increases your risk of getting this one. Getting vaccinated against the flu is crucial since it can be a serious sickness during pregnancy.
The most prevalent form of influenza is influenza A. Any kind of flu during pregnancy might pose a major risk to one's health. In addition to the fact that experiencing the flu during pregnancy can endanger the growing fetus, pregnant women are more likely than non-pregnant women to require hospitalization for the illness.
This is why it's so crucial to get vaccinated against the flu if you're expecting. Continue reading to learn more about getting the flu while pregnant and how to keep both you and your unborn child safe.
If you would want to learn more about the flu, go here.
What is influenza A?
The influenza virus comes in four primary varieties: A, B, C, and D. The most prevalent is type A. In 2023, influenza A variations accounted for over 77% of all recorded flu illnesses, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Annual flu vaccinations are made from type A flu variations, which are modified annually to maximize effectiveness. The most likely flu virus to infect you during pregnancy is type A due to its high prevalence.
What are the symptoms of influenza A during pregnancy?
Type A flu symptoms include the following general flu symptoms, which might appear suddenly:
- Fever at 100.4°F (38°C) or higher (You could still have the flu even if you don't have a temperature.)
- chills
- sore throat
- cough
- headache
- fatigue
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- nasal congestion
- body or muscle aches
What are the risks of having influenza A during pregnancy?
Pregnancy can have an impact on your immune system, increasing your susceptibility to infections such as influenza. The flu can also raise the chance of pregnancy problems, such as:
- hospitalization
- preterm labor (before 37 weeks of pregnancy)
- preterm delivery (37 weeks of gestation)
In extremely rare cases, getting the flu while pregnant may raise your risk of dying from the virus.
Having the flu while pregnant can have a variety of effects on your kid. If you have a high fever while pregnant, your baby may suffer congenital problems such as neural tube defects and fetal heart alterations.
How can you prevent influenza A during pregnancy?
If you are pregnant or want to become pregnant, the best way to protect yourself and your baby from the flu is to be vaccinated. The CDC advises that all pregnant women receive a flu vaccine.
If you are pregnant, do not obtain the nasal mist flu vaccine. It is manufactured with a live virus, thus it is not as safe for you and your kid while pregnant.
Another benefit of having a flu shot while pregnant is that it may protect your baby after birth. The antibodies you produce in response to the immunization can be passed on to your kid before birth. If you breastfeed your baby, these antibodies may transfer through your breast milk. A previous study of the 2010–2012 flu seasons discovered that persons who were vaccinated during pregnancy had a 50% lower chance of getting flu-associated acute respiratory infections than those who were not vaccinated during pregnancy.
In a 2018 study, researchers discovered that getting a flu shot during pregnancy reduced the risk of being hospitalized with the flu by up to 40%.
Which flu vaccine is safe during pregnancy?There are two types of flu vaccines: shots and nasal mists. The flu virus is inert in the shot, but active in the nasal mist. If you are pregnant, the CDC recommends being vaccinated against influenza.
The nasal mist is safe to use after pregnancy and while breastfeeding.
What about allergies?
If you are allergic to any component of a flu vaccine or have previously had a severe allergic reaction to a flu vaccine, do not get a flu shot.
Even if you are allergic to egg proteins, you may still be able to receive an annual flu vaccination.
Before getting a flu vaccination, you should address any allergies you may have with your doctor. Include any previous negative reactions to flu shots.
How is influenza A diagnosed during pregnancy?
The flu is often diagnosed solely on symptoms, but numerous tests may also be used. Some of these tests may detect the flu extremely early.
Flu tests include:
- Rapid influenza diagnostic tests provide results within 10 to 15 minutes.
- fast molecular techniques that detect genetic material from the flu virus
- reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, viral culture, and immunofluorescence assays are examples of tests that require a swab from your nose and throat to be sent to a lab.
What’s the treatment for influenza A during pregnancy?
Prescription antiviral drugs and resting at home are two ways to treat the flu. The following are typical flu remedies for expectant mothers:
Home remedies
Your flu symptoms may be lessened by getting lots of sleep, drinking lots of water, and using over-the-counter symptom relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol).
There are certain medications you might need to stay away from if you're trying to treat the flu while pregnant. During pregnancy, you should always consult your OB-GYN or other healthcare provider before taking any over-the-counter drugs. Not all of them are advised or safe to use while pregnant.
Prescription antiviral medications
FDA-approved antiviral drugs for the flu include Tamiflu and Relenza. Both are safe to use while pregnant, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
These drugs require a prescription, and it's critical to take them as soon as you can. It is advised that you start taking these antivirals no later than two days after the onset of flu symptoms and keep taking them for at least five days.
Takeaway
The most prevalent flu virus, influenza A, is the one you are most likely to contract both during pregnancy and throughout your lifetime. Pregnancy-related flu can have major consequences for both you and your unborn child. Therefore, if you intend to become pregnant or are already pregnant, you must receive a flu vaccination.
In addition to protecting you, receiving a flu shot during pregnancy may also help shield your unborn child from the illness after birth.
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