Flu and pregnancy: beware of complications
Pregnant women are among those who are vulnerable to the flu virus, as are the elderly and young children. Pregnancy increases the risk of serious complications in case of infection by the flu virus.
Are there flu treatments for pregnant women? Can one be made vaccinate against the flu during the pregnancy? Doctissimo makes the point.
Fever, headache, chills, aches and pains... are the main symptoms of the flu. This highly contagious respiratory infection usually disappears a few days after the first symptoms appear. But in some people called "vulnerable", the flu can cause serious complications. This is the case for the elderly and young children, but also for pregnant women.
Flu and pregnancy: what are the risks of complications?
Although pregnant women are no more likely than anyone else to contract influenza, they are more likely to suffer from respiratory complications of this infection. Their risk of hospitalization for this reason is multiplied by 4.7¹.
The reason for this is that the immune system is modified by pregnancy. This change would increase the risk of bacterial infection. According to a recent study², the overflow of immune cells in the lungs of pregnant women, produced by the body to fight the flu virus, would only increase the risk of inflammation, making breathing difficult.
"This could explain why pregnant women who get the flu are more likely to have serious respiratory complications that can go as far as pneumonia," says Dr. Catherine Blish, an American researcher specializing in infectious diseases and lead author of the study.
On the other hand, influenza contracted by the mother does not constitute a danger for the fetus except in case of high fever, which can sometimes cause contractions and premature delivery.
How to treat the flu during pregnancy?
- High fever (around 39°C),
- Headache,
- Chills,
- Aches and pains,
- Fatigue
- Coughing...
As soon as the first symptoms of the flu appear, the pregnant woman must immediately consult a doctor to find out if it is the flu or not.
If the diagnosis is confirmed, the doctor will prescribe the antiviral drug oseltamivir (Tamiflu) within two days of the first signs of infection to avoid possible serious complications.
Vaccination is the best way to prevent influenza in pregnant women
Follow your pregnancy week by week
The best way to avoid influenza during pregnancy is to get the vaccine.
The High Council of Public Health (HCSP)³ recommends that all pregnant women be vaccinated, regardless of the trimester of pregnancy. The HCSP relies on "scientific data that demonstrate the safety of use of inactivated influenza vaccines and the effectiveness of influenza vaccination in pregnant women". Harmless for the fetus, it would even protect the infant until 6 months, thanks to maternal antibodies that cross the placental barrier.
The Health Insurance fully covers the flu vaccine for pregnant women. The vaccine can be prescribed by a doctor, a gynecologist or a midwife from October. The body is protected against the virus about 15 days after vaccination. It is therefore better not to wait until the beginning of the epidemic to be vaccinated.
The right gestures to prevent the flu
Vaccination is the first step in protecting yourself from the flu, but certain hygiene measures can reduce the risk of contagion. During a flu epidemic, follow these tips:
- Wash your hands regularly (before preparing a meal, after blowing your nose, after sneezing or coughing while putting your hand in front of your mouth, after using the bathroom...)
- Cover your mouth if you cough.
- Use single-use tissues and throw them away immediately after use.
- Avoid contact with sick people, avoid shaking hands or kissing to say hello, and if you are sick wear a mask.
- Air out your home to reduce the concentration of germs.
