Getting the flu anytime can be distressing. Influenza while pregnant can have severe complications for mom and her unborn baby. About 1 in 10 of every pregnant women are exposed to the flu each year. If there is a flu pandemic, the numbers could go up even more. Women who are pregnant have lower abilities to fight off the flu virus. This means there is a higher risk for complications includingpremature delivery, smaller babies, miscarriage, and death in the newborn. Influenza can be prevented or treated during pregnancy, but prompt medical care is important. Read on to learn about treating the flu while pregnant with both home remedies and medical options.

What Should You Know About Flu During Pregnancy?

Influenza spreads by respiratory droplets in the air. That means being around someone who is coughing, sneezing, or even talking can transmit the virus to you. When the respiratory droplets land on something solid, you can catch the flu if you touch the object and then touch your face.

During flu season, pregnant moms should be extra careful. Steer clear of anyone who is sick and practice good hand washing. If you do get exposed, the symptoms are often hard to tell from a common cold at first. Below are the symptoms of influenza.

• High fever and Chills
• Headache
• Extreme Exhaustion
• Some Diarrhea and Vomiting
• Coughing
• Sore Throat
• Runny Nose and Congestion
• Achy Muscles and General Body Pain

The symptoms of the flu lasts from days, to a week, to even a few weeks. Pregnant women can expect to be sick for a little longer since the immune system tends to be weaker.

It is very important that if you have symptoms of the flu, contact your doctor right away and do the following home remedies to help your body rest and heal.

Treating the Flu While Pregnant with Home Remedies  

Many wonder if things that you take for colds and flu are safe to take during pregnancy. These questions are best answered by your doctor. What you can do at home if you find yourself in bed with the flu is these long used home remedies that are very safe:

• Increase fluid intake. Getting plenty of fluids is very important. Influenza, especially with fever, can dehydrate you pretty quickly. Drink clear non-caffeinated fluids such as electrolyte replacement drinks, herbal tea, clear soda, juice, and even popsicles if you can’t take fluids.
• Eat right. Healthy portions of fruits and vegetables are highly recommended such as bananas, blue berries, and carrots. Incorporate dietary sources that are rich in antioxidants such as peppers, whole-grain products, nuts and seeds.
• Rest a lot. Sleep as much as you can. The more you sleep, the faster you will feel better. Have someone help you for a few days.
• Try saline nasal spray. The un-medicated saline nasal spray is perfectly safe and can help relieve a stuffy nose.
• Use a humidifier. Place a vaporizer or humidifier in your room. You can also relieve stuffiness by taking a hot shower.
• Chicken soup. A tried and true cold and influenza remedy is a nice hot bowl of chicken soup. There really isn’t any scientific evidence to say why it helps, but it has been patient tested and approved for quite a few years now.
• Gargle with warm salt water. Warm salt water can help relieve a sore throat and soothe coughing spells. Salt even has mild anti-bacterial properties to wash out any bacteria from the throat area.
• Herbal tea with honey and lemon. Drink a cup of hot herbal tea with honey and lemon to coat the throat and relieve coughing.
• Hot compresses on the sinuses. Place a hot compress over the sinus area to help loosen mucus and relieve congestion.

Treating the Flu While Pregnant with Medications

The flu (influenza) is caused by a virus so it cannot be treated with antibiotics. The virus attacks the upper respiratory system and the lungs.If you have a bad case of the flu, your doctor may recommend an anti-viral medication. This is by prescription only and must be taken within the first 48 hours of when symptoms begin. The use of anti-viral medications, such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or zanamivir (Relenza) to treat flu during pregnancy is considered safe.

Prevention of Flu in Pregnancy

It is recommended that pregnant women get the flu vaccine if you are pregnant during flu season. The incidence of influenza is highest in October through May each year. If you are trying to get pregnant around flu season, get your flu shot in October.

Complications and When to See a Doctor

Influenza can quickly turn serious for anyone. Pregnant women are at higher risk for complications. Pregnant women can suffer pre-term labor leading to premature birth from severe cases of the flu.

During pregnancy, the immune system is weaker and slower than normal. This is the body’s natural way of not fighting off the baby as a foreign invader like viruses. Having a slower immune system leaves you open to catching the flu easier and getting sicker than if you were not pregnant.

The flu is a respiratory illness that can affect the lungs. You’re literally breathing for two and if you have the flu this can put extra stress on the lungs and even the heart. The risk of breathing trouble is higher in the last part of pregnancy. If you are in your second and third trimester, take extra care of yourself and rest as much as you can. This will help prevent you from getting a secondary case of pneumonia.