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Why Are Flu, COVID-19, and RSV More Dangerous During Pregnancy?

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Why Are Flu, COVID-19, and RSV More Dangerous During Pregnancy?

When someone is pregnant, the health and safety of their pregnancy is likely at the forefront of their mind. An important part of protecting your developing baby is protecting yourself. That鈥檚 because a pregnant person has a higher risk of developing serious side effects when infected with viruses such as influenza, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

Understanding the Risk

The immune system undergoes complex changes during a pregnancy. One of these changes includes the immune system becoming suppressed to protect the fetus. However, this means that it鈥檚 harder for the pregnant person to fight off illnesses. As a result, they get sicker.

鈥淚n pregnancy, your body鈥攕pecifically your heart and lungs鈥攁re working hard to support you,鈥 says Laurie Griffin, MD, PhD, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist at 麻豆学生精品版. 鈥淲hen you are sick with a virus, it becomes harder for your body to keep up. This can impact the flow of nutrients and oxygen and triggers changes in your body that can put you at increased risk for complications such as the need for hospitalization and preterm birth.鈥

If you become sick with a virus like flu, COVID-19, or RSV while pregnant, you have a higher risk of the following negative outcomes: 

  • Needing to be hospitalized
  • High fevers
  • Developing pneumonia
  • Miscarriage
  • Going into pre-term labor
  • Baby having a low birth weight
  • Baby needing to spend time in the NICU

Fortunately, you can take many steps to avoid these viruses to keep yourself and your pregnancy healthy and safe.

Proactive Prevention

Whether you鈥檙e entering crowded stores to run errands or your older child comes home from school with the sniffles, life doesn鈥檛 come to a halt when you鈥檙e pregnant. While you may not be able to avoid every pathogen out there completely, Griffin recommends taking these precautions:

  • Wash your hands. Frequent handwashing with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds can help prevent the spread of disease.
  • Mask up. Wearing a face mask in crowded spaces can reduce your chance of breathing in droplets from an airborne virus.
  • Avoid sick people. While it鈥檚 impossible to know if everyone you encounter is sick, try to avoid being around sick people when you can. If someone in your household is sick, be sure to utilize face masks, practice good hand hygiene, and regularly clean frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs or countertops.
  • Get vaccinated. The says that the available vaccines for flu, COVID-19, RSV and whooping cough are all safe and effective during pregnancy. Getting these vaccines can help lower your risk of dangerous outcomes if you are infected with one of these viruses while pregnant.

Vaccines also pass antibodies to your baby, giving them a layer of protection before they鈥檙e born. Talk to your doctor about the best vaccination schedule for you, but the ACOG recommends the following timeline for pregnant people:

  • Flu. Anyone who is pregnant or plans to become pregnant during flu season can get the annual shot safely during any trimester.
  • COVID-19. Pregnant patients at any trimester, including those planning to become pregnant, or anyone who is newly postpartum or lactating are .
  • RSV. Receiving a dose of the RSV vaccine between 32 and 36 weeks gestation can help protect you and your newborn from severe illness.
  • Tdap. Receiving a dose of the Tdap vaccine around 28 weeks gestation can help protect your newborn from whooping cough (pertussis).

鈥淭he other thing that women can do to protect themselves and their babies is to make sure other people who are around them are vaccinated,鈥 Griffin says. 鈥淭hat includes their partners, their other children, anyone who's going to interact with them during pregnancy, or the baby once they are born.鈥

If You Do Get Sick

Don鈥檛 panic if you test positive for one of these viruses during pregnancy. First, call your doctor to discuss medications that can help you fight the infection. Get lots of rest, drink plenty of fluids, and control any body aches or fevers with acetaminophen, which is safe to take during pregnancy.

Griffin says to seek care if you experience any of the following symptoms while sick with a virus:

  • High fevers not helped with medication
  • Trouble breathing
  • Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
  • Inability to take in fluids or food

Taking care to prevent infection of flu, COVID-19, and RSV will help keep you on the path to a healthy pregnancy and delivery.

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