The most updated set of guidelines released by the ACOG - American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologist strongly advise pregnant women in all terms and even those who are expecting pregnancy to get flu shot.
In a statement released by the ACOG, vaccinations including that for seasonal influenza are an essential element in health care for mothers before, during and even after their pregnancies.
A woman's immunity goes on a flux during pregnancy. The viral-combatting components of a woman's immune system are suppressed making her a target to viral infections such as influenza.
On top of this flux in the woman's immune system, her lungs and heart are not their best as well.
Because of this not only pregnancy women are urged to get the shot. Health officials, doctors, local and national health care organizations are also urged to spread awareness while increasing vaccination numbers.
According to a statement by the CDC - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, getting a flu shot is optimal during pregnancy because it does not only protect the mother's health her baby's as well.
With the mother's health at risk and with her unborn child's immunity underdeveloped, missing a flu shot can mean serious complications to the child including early development of certain cancers such as neoplasms of the lymphatic and hematopoeitic tissue and neuroblastomas.
The CDC advises pregnant women not to wait but instead to get flu shot as soon as possible as it may be too late when symptoms, which include the following, begins to surface:
a. Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
b. Pain or pressure in chest or abdomen
c. Sudden dizziness
d. Confusion
e. Severe or persistent vomiting
f. High fever that is unresponsive to Tylenol (or any equivalent drug)
Decreased or no movement of the babyShould a woman miss a flu shot during her pregnancy and is experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, a visit to a healthcare professional should be done instead of self-medication.
