Flu Shot and Pregnancy

No sooner a woman gets pregnant, she is advised on certain dos and don'ts that range from what things to eat to what physical activity to avoid. Many people urge pregnant women to consult a doctor before taking any medications. This is because some medicines are notorious for causing harm to the unborn baby. That is why many people ask "Should medicines like flu shot be taken during pregnancy?" The question is discussed below:

Flu Shot and Pregnancy

A flu shot is nothing but a vaccine that is formulated to keep the human body protected against the influenza virus. Now, is it necessary to take this flu vaccine at the time of pregnancy? Yes it is. It is observed that the defense mechanism of the body (immune system) during pregnancy is not strong enough to thwart any viral infections. The infection fighting cells of immune system are not capable enough to combat influenza virus attack effectively. In other words, the immune system is impaired, thus increasing the chances of pregnant women falling prey to infection.

There are people who argue that flu shot and early pregnancy do not go well together because the vaccine contains live virus. Well, this assumption is totally wrong as it contains half dead virus. So, there is no question of catching the virus from the vaccine. However, do not prefer flu shot that is available in the form of nasal sprays as they are spiked with live virus.

According to experts, be it first, second or third trimester, the flu shot can be injected at any pregnancy stage. So, as long as the vaccine is devoid of live virus and thimerosal, pregnant women should not worry about taking a flu shot. Although seasonal flu is not worrisome, it can be a serious issue during pregnancy. Do not expect healthy delivery, if the viral infection (flu) persists at the time of pregnancy. This is because the unborn baby is likely to get infected with the virus. There have been cases where the flu has been difficult to manage during pregnancy. Due to suppressed immune system during pregnancy, there is a high risk of flu aggravating to serious respiratory problems like pneumonia. This can make pregnant women susceptible to miscarriage. All these complications during pregnancy from viral infections can be successfully avoided by taking flu shots.

Side Effects

As egg protein is an important constituent of flu shot, women allergic to eggs need to stay away from this vaccine. Flu shot side effects due to allergic reactions are worrisome as they manifest in the form of breathing problems, skin problems (hives), vomiting and diarrhea. Also, taking flu shot that does not contain thimerosal is recommended. Basically thimerosal is a preservative that is made up of 45-50% mercury and studies show that thimerosal containing mercury might be harmful to the unborn baby. Also, data on pregnancy and flu shot reactions also reveal some minor possible side effects of flu shot such as uneasiness, redness and swelling in the affected area, which can be ignored.

Besides taking flu shot, one should also opt for ways to strengthen the immune system naturally. This can be easily achieved by including green leafy vegetables and fresh fruits like oranges in the diet. Overall, giving a flu shot to pregnant women is safe and is the best way to keep the would-be-mother and the fetus away from the deadly virus.