An influenza (flu) vaccine is one of the simplest ways to guard your self from the flu, even when you’re pregnant. The vaccine is protected for pregnant individuals. The Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC) recommends that pregnant ladies get a flu shot (vaccine) at any time (or trimester) of their being pregnant.
A flu shot not solely helps forestall you from getting the flu, however it additionally will shield your new child child from getting the flu, too. Analysis exhibits that the flu vaccine protects kids for as much as six months if their moms get the vaccine whereas pregnant with them. It’s because the mom’s antibodies (an vital a part of the immune system, which protects your physique from sicknesses and illness) keep within the child’s system after they’re born.
Even in case you are wholesome, you want a flu shot. If you find yourself pregnant, there are regular adjustments to your immune system that make you extra more likely to grow to be severely sick for those who get the flu. Having the flu will increase your danger of creating pneumonia, a critical situation. You usually tend to be hospitalized for those who get the flu whereas pregnant. Having a extreme case of the flu if you are pregnant will also be dangerous on your creating child. It will increase your danger for going into labor early. Moreover, some research have proven that fever related to having the flu has been tied to neural tube defects and different detrimental outcomes for a creating child.
For those who didn’t get a flu shot whilst you have been pregnant, you will get a shot after, even in case you are breastfeeding. The flu shot is protected for ladies who’re pregnant or breastfeeding. There isn’t a elevated danger of miscarriage when getting the vaccine throughout being pregnant.
Path to improved well being
It’s greatest to get your flu shot every year earlier than or throughout October. This ensures that you’re protected earlier than flu season is at its peak.
Whenever you get a flu shot, the shot triggers your physique to start making antibodies to struggle the viral an infection. Antibodies are your physique’s pure protection system used to assist struggle and kill dangerous micro organism and viruses. It takes just a few weeks after getting the flu shot on your physique to develop the antibodies that can assist keep at bay the flu. That’s the reason you will need to get your flu shot in October or as quickly as doable within the fall.
The American Academy of Household Physicians (AAFP) recommends that folks 6 months and older ought to get a flu shot.
It’s also vital that anybody in shut contact together with your new child child be vaccinated in opposition to the flu. Different relations or caregivers ought to all get flu photographs. They need to be vaccinated to assist forestall probably passing the flu to the newborn.
Issues to think about
It is best to discuss to your physician earlier than getting a flu shot for those who:
- Have egg allergy symptoms
- Have a historical past of Guillain-Barre Syndrome
- Have ever had a response to a flu shot
- Have a fever
Getting sick with the flu is just not a aspect impact of the flu shot. You can’t catch the flu simply by getting a flu shot. There are, nonetheless, different negative effects that typically happen after getting a flu shot. Most frequently, your solely negative effects will embody soreness, redness and swelling across the injection space. Different much less frequent negative effects might embody:
- All-over muscle aches
- Headache
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Nausea
Keep in mind that negative effects are often gentle. In case your negative effects appear extreme, you need to contact your physician.
When to see your physician
When you’ve got flu signs and are pregnant, you need to contact your physician. Flu signs embody:
- Fever
- Chills
- Headache
- Physique aches
- Feeling unusually drained
- Stuffy nostril
- Cough/sore throat
Your physician might prescribe an antiviral remedy. This drugs can’t treatment the flu, however it may assist shorten the span of the virus and make it much less extreme.
Inquiries to ask your physician
- Why ought to I get a flu shot?
- Is it protected to get a flu shot whereas I’m pregnant?
- Is it protected to get a flu shot whereas I’m breastfeeding?
- Can getting a flu shot trigger a miscarriage?
- Will I’ve any negative effects from getting a flu shot?
- The place ought to I get a flu shot?
- What ought to I do if I get the flu whereas I’m pregnant?
- Do I have to get a flu shot this yr if I bought one final yr whereas I used to be pregnant however am now breastfeeding?
Assets
Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention: Flu Vaccine Security and Being pregnant
Copyright © American Academy of Household Physicians
This info supplies a common overview and should not apply to everybody. Discuss to your loved ones physician to search out out if this info applies to you and to get extra info on this topic.
