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Prevention of influenza in pregnant women: the best ways to protect
Last reviewed: 20.10.2021
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Influenza is a dangerous beast, and it is better for pregnant women not to fall into its paws. The flu carries the threat of miscarriage, the weakening of all body systems and "side diseases", which are difficult to get rid of: bronchitis, pneumonia, pyelonephritis, cardiac and vascular disorders. What methods of protection are better used to prevent influenza in pregnant women?
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[How to reduce the risk of infection with the flu?
Influenza is one of the diseases that are easier to avoid than treat. Therefore, the methods of preventing this disease can include the following simple measures, especially in the first trimeter of pregnancy :
- Limit travel in trams, trolleybuses, trains, metro and all kinds of public transport during the cold season
- Do not leave the house on an empty stomach - if in a hurry, you need to drink at least a glass of tea, then the viruses and bacteria can not so quickly penetrate the body
- Before you visit public places during the influenza season, lubricate the nasal passages with oxolin ointment. It will prevent the ingress of infections, which are most often taken into the body through the mouth and nose.
- Be sure to recommend a doctor to drink multivitamins - they will help your immune system to resist diseases
- Wash your hands as often as possible, and preferably with soap. It is advisable not to gnaw the nails and not to take fingers in the mouth - they have a lot of viruses and pathogens
- Try not to contact people who are sick with the flu, but if this person lives in your home, change the face mask every 3 hours and eat only from individual dishes.
Can I get a flu vaccine for pregnant women?
Vaccination for pregnant women from influenza can and should be done, but there are some important for life and health restrictions. After all, now you are responsible not only for yourself, but for the baby. To get an inoculation against the flu, you need, first, to enlist the support of your gynecologist and, secondly, to determine the medical institution, where you will be given this vaccine. If there are no contraindications, you will be given a flu vaccine in a public or private clinic. In the first case - for free, in the second - for a fee, according to your choice and decision.
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The only very important amendment: the flu vaccine should be done no 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 the flu. Even if you vaccinated last year, this year the composition of the vaccine will be different, because the formula of the virus also changes. The vaccine that could save you from the flu last year may be completely useless this year. So take care of your health and go to the inoculation.
Contraindications to vaccination against influenza in pregnant women
- An acute inflammatory process that takes place in your body now or that passed less than two weeks ago
- Individual immunity to the composition of the vaccine (mainly a protein from a chicken egg)
- The gestation period is up to 14 weeks
A vaccine pregnant against influenza can greatly facilitate your life and keep your baby, so do not neglect this method of protection. Prevention of influenza is not only personal hygiene, but also more serious ways of own protection.