Pregnant women are being encouraged to make sure they get in front of the line for their flu shots this year. March of Dimes, plus nine other leading national health organizations have co-signed a letter urging health care providers to advise pregnant women and those planning to become pregnant to have the flu vaccine.

Only one shot is needed this year, unlike last year when the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) recommended two. The current vaccine is designed to protect the individuals from H3N2 and 2009 H1N1.

In order to make sure they and their babies are protected, March of Dimes urges pregnant women to get immunized. Pregnant women are at increased risk of the harmful effects of influenza infection.

Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, president of the March of Dimes, said:

Based on expert medical opinion, we urge all pregnant women, and women who expect to become pregnant, to get their influenza immunization because the flu poses a serious risk of illness and death during pregnancy. The flu vaccine has been shown to be safe and effective. As an added bonus, during pregnancy, mothers pass on their immunity, protecting babies until they are old enough to receive their own vaccinations.

The 10 organizations that co-signed the letter advising pregnant women to get their flu shot were:

  • American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP)
  • American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
  • American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM)
  • American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)
  • American Medical Association (AMA)
  • American Nurses Association (ANA)
  • American Pharmacists Association (APhA)
  • Association of Women’s Health
  • Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN)
  • March of Dimes, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

They all stress that the risk of complications from influenza is higher during pregnancy; a pregnant woman has a greater probability of developing bacterial pneumonia and dehydration, both of which can be serious and sometimes fatal. During pregnancy a woman’s immune system can change, making them more susceptible to hospitalization when they catch the flu.

The ten organizations write:

Getting vaccinated is the best way pregnant women can protect themselves and their babies from the flu.

Although only 1 in every 100 American people are pregnant women, they represented 5% of H1N1 (swine flu) deaths in 2009, according to an article published in April 2010 in JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association).

Pregnant women should remember that good hygiene practices, including proper hand washing, using a hand sanitizer, avoiding exposure to children, avoiding people who are ill, etc., help protect them from infection and illness.

Influenza, or flu, is a respiratory illness that is caused by a virus. Flu is highly contagious and is usually spread by the coughs and sneezes of a person who is infected. You can also catch flu from an infected person if you touch them (e.g. shaking hands). Adults are contagious one day before getting symptoms and up to 7 days after becoming ill. This means that you can spread the influenza virus before you even know you are infected. A flu epidemic, when a large number of people in one country are infected with flu, can last several weeks.

It is common to confuse flu with a bad cold. Flu and cold symptoms may include a runny/blocked nose, sore throat, and cough. Here are some symptoms which a person with flu will have. These are not common heavy cold symptoms:

  • high temperature
  • cold sweats, shivers
  • headache
  • aching joints, aching limbs
  • fatigue, feeling utterly exhausted
  • gastro-intestinal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, are much more common among children than adults

These symptoms may linger for about a week. The feeling of tiredness and gloom can continue for several weeks.

In the majority of cases flu is not serious – it is just unpleasant. For some people, however, there can be severe complications. This is more likely if you are elderly or have some other longstanding illness that can undermine your immune system. Your risk of experiencing severe flu complications is higher if:

  • you are over 65
  • you are a baby or a very young child
  • you are pregnant
  • you have some kind of heart or cardiovascular disease
  • you have a chest problem, such as asthma or bronchitis
  • you have a kidney disease
  • you suffer from diabetes
  • you are taking steroids
  • you are undergoing treatment for cancer
  • you have any longstanding disease that can significantly lower your immune system

Some of the complications caused by influenza may include bacterial pneumonia, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes. Children may get sinus problems and ear infections.

Source: March of Dimes

Written by Christian Nordqvist