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Prevention of influenza in a pregnant woman: the best ways to protect yourself
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 06.07.2025
Flu is a dangerous beast, and pregnant women should not fall into its clutches. Flu carries the threat of miscarriage, weakening of all body systems and "side diseases" that are quite difficult to get rid of: bronchitis, pneumonia, pyelonephritis, heart and vascular disorders. What methods of protection are best used to prevent flu in pregnant women?
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How to reduce the risk of contracting the flu?
Flu is one of those diseases that is easier to prevent than to treat. Therefore, prevention methods for this disease may include the following simple measures, especially in the first trimester of pregnancy:
- Limit travel on trams, trolleybuses, electric trains, metro and all types of public transport during the cold season
- Don't leave the house on an empty stomach - if you are in a hurry, you need to drink at least a glass of tea, then viruses and bacteria will not be able to penetrate the body so quickly
- Before visiting public places during the flu season, lubricate your nasal passages with oxolinic ointment. It will prevent the penetration of infections that most often enter the body through the mouth and nose.
- Be sure to take multivitamins as recommended by your doctor - they will help your immune system resist diseases
- Wash your hands as often as possible, preferably with soap. It is advisable not to bite your nails or put your fingers in your mouth - they contain many viruses and pathogenic bacteria
- Try to avoid contact with people sick with the flu, and if this person lives in your home, change your protective mask every 3 hours and eat only from individual utensils.
Can pregnant women get the flu vaccine?
Pregnant women can and should be vaccinated against influenza, but there are some life- and health-important restrictions. After all, now you are responsible not only for yourself, but also for your baby. To get a flu shot, you need, first, to enlist the support of your gynecologist and, second, to decide on a medical institution where you will be vaccinated. If there are no contraindications, you will be vaccinated against influenza in a public or private clinic. In the first case, it is free, in the second, it is paid, at your choice and decision.
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The only very important amendment: the flu vaccine should not be given earlier than the 15th week of pregnancy. The vaccine is considered safe for both the baby and the mother, because it contains already killed viruses that cause flu. Even if you were vaccinated last year, this year the vaccine composition will be different, because the virus formula also changes. The vaccine that could save you from the flu last year may be absolutely useless this year. So take care of your health and get vaccinated.
Contraindications to flu vaccination in pregnant women
- An acute inflammatory process that is occurring in your body now or that occurred less than two weeks ago
- Individual intolerance to the composition of the vaccine (mainly chicken egg protein)
- Pregnancy period up to 14 weeks
A pregnant woman's flu vaccine can make your life much easier and save your baby, so don't neglect this method of protection. Flu prevention is not only personal hygiene, but also more serious ways of protecting yourself.
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