Influenza in pregnancy

 My plan of action will be to discuss what issues seem to be most common in my practice and offer my insight and education on that topic. Today I will discuss influenza vaccination during pregnancy. Flu season begins in October and goes until May. Symptoms of the flu include fever, chills, body aches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, sore throat, cough. None of these symptoms are fun, particularly when you are pregnant! I recommend to all my patients who are pregnant to obtain influenza vaccination. My reasons for recommendation are that women have a relatively weaker immune system while they are pregnant which can lead to more serious illness when getting sick. Medical studies from times of flu pandemics like in the early 1900s and more recently with H1N1 show that women who are pregnant are more likely to be hospitalized, more likely to be seriously ill, and more likely to die when they are infected with influenza. It is safe to receive influenza vaccination any time during pregnacy.  

     The other added benefit for influenza vaccination is the passive immunization of a newborn.  An infant can not be immunized against influenza until they are 6 months of age; however, if the mother receives vaccination, those antibodies will cross the placenta and help with immunity for their newborn.  Please check out the following links for more information regarding influenza vaccination in pregnancy.

http://www.acog.org/from_home/publications/immunization/co468.pdf

http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/preg-guide.htm#flu1

http://www.uptodate.com/contents/patient-information-immunizations-and-pregnancy?source=see_link