FLU VACCINE FOR EXPECTANT MOMS A TOP PRIORITY
Only about half of all
pregnant women in the U.S. get a flu shot each season, leaving thousands of
moms-to-be and their babies at increased risk of serious illness.
"Getting a flu
shot should be a routine part of prenatal care," said Edward McCabe, MD,
March of Dimes chief medical officer. "Health care providers should offer
their pregnant patients a flu shot each year and if they don't, then women
should ask for it."
A report by the U.S.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, presented by the National
Foundation for Infectious Disease, found that among those pregnant women whose
health care provider offered them a flu shot had the highest vaccination rates.
All pregnant women and
those planning to become pregnant should receive a flu shot because the normal
changes to a pregnant woman's immune system, heart and lungs put moms-to-be at
increased risk of the harmful effects of flu infection. Also, babies born to
mothers who got their flu shot while pregnant were protected from serious
illness from influenza during their first six months of life. They also had a
lower risk of flu-related hospitalizations for chronic asthma, heart
conditions, diabetes, a weakened immune system, and other health-related
problems.
Studies that looked at
thousands of pregnant women who received the seasonal flu vaccine, found that
immunized moms did not have a higher risk of babies being born too soon or
developing a birth defect when compared with babies born to women who did not
get a vaccine. Also, researchers found that women who were vaccinated were less
likely to experience a stillbirth.
The CDC recommends
that everyone six months of age or older, including pregnant women, be
vaccinated annually against the influenza virus.
In addition to getting
their annual flu shot, pregnant women can lower their risk of catching influenza
by limiting contact with others who are sick; coughing or sneezing into a
tissue or an arm; not touching the eyes, nose and mouth; washing hands with
soap and water before touching others; using hand sanitizers; using hot, soapy
water or a dishwasher to wash the dishes and utensils; not sharing the dishes,
glasses, utensils or toothbrush. Also, those who live with pregnant women, or
who are in close contact with them should be immunized.
Pregnant women who
develop influenza infection symptoms, such as sudden onset fever, muscle aches,
and cough should contact their health providers as soon as possible to begin
the treatment.
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