Pregnancy brings immense joy—but it also comes with added vulnerability to infections like the flu. Due to changes in the immune system, lungs, and blood volume, expectant mothers are more prone to catching the flu and experiencing severe symptoms.
Protecting yourself from influenza while pregnant isn’t just about your health—it’s about your baby’s, too. Flu during pregnancy has been linked to risks like hospitalization, preterm birth, and even developmental issues in babies.
In this blog, we’ll break down how the flu affects pregnancy, which symptoms to watch for, how flu shots work (and how safe they are), and practical prevention strategies to help you stay healthy throughout this important journey.
What is the flu during pregnancy?
Influenza (or flu) is a contagious respiratory disease caused by viruses that primarily infect the nose, throat, and in some cases, the lungs too.
During pregnancy, influenza brings unique challenges as pregnant women face different risks compared to their non-pregnant counterparts. The changes in the immune system, heart, and lungs can make it harder for pregnant women to defend themselves against flu infections. They are also more likely to experience severe symptoms, resulting in urgent hospitalizations and intensive care admissions.
Therefore, recognized health authorities across the world, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), strongly recommend that pregnant women receive the flu vaccine during the influenza season to shield both themselves and their babies.
Can flu during pregnancy affect the baby?
Yes, the flu can impact both the pregnant parent and the baby—but the good news is that steps like getting a flu shot can significantly reduce any risk.
In some cases, having the flu during pregnancy—especially with a high fever—has been linked to certain complications, like preterm birth or low birth weight. However, these outcomes are not common and often depend on the severity of the illness and how quickly it’s treated.
Getting vaccinated and seeking timely care if you do get sick are simple, effective ways to protect both you and your baby during pregnancy.
Signs and symptoms during pregnancy
Flu while pregnant can have a combination of the below symptoms:
- Fever
- Chills
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Body aches
- Headaches
- Fatigue
Some individuals also have stomach flu during pregnancy with symptoms, such as vomiting and diarrhea.
Experts say that influenza can appear suddenly in pregnant women, often taking over rapidly within a short period. If you’re an expectant mother and encounter any of these symptoms, act quickly and contact a healthcare professional for immediate diagnosis, possible treatment, and medication options. This helps ease symptoms, reduce illness duration, and improve results for both the mother and baby.
Are flu vaccines safe during pregnancy?
Extensive research states that inactivated influenza vaccines (IIVs) can be given during any trimester of pregnancy, and they don’t cause any harm to the pregnant woman and her baby.
Over the years, numerous studies have consistently affirmed the “excellent safety profile of flu vaccines” among pregnant women and found positive maternal immunization outcomes. They also demonstrate that vaccination during pregnancy can minimize the risk of flu-induced hospitalizations in infants by up to 39%.
Simply put, there could be some concerns attached to medical interventions taken during pregnancy, related to that of flu vaccinations. However, not being cautious enough can amplify the chances of a flu infection and result in more worrisome health situations. Therefore, pregnant women are advised to consult healthcare professionals and receive timely flu immunization.
What is the best time to get the pregnant flu vaccine?
September or October are typically good times for most adults to get vaccinated. After these months, flu activity begins to increase.
For women in their third trimester of pregnancy, you can also consider vaccination in July and August. This helps protect your infants from the flu for several months after birth, as they are too young to be vaccinated.
Can a flu shot during pregnancy harm the baby?
The Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD) project, operated by the CDC, monitors vaccine safety among vast populations. It has conducted multiple studies that uphold flu vaccines are safe across the different fetal developmental stages—both for the mother and the baby. For example, a significant study, which employed VSD data, has found there is no increased risk of “spontaneous abortions or preterm births” in women who get their flu shot during pregnancy as compared to the ones who remain unvaccinated.
Moreover, researchers have identified that flu vaccines can have side effects, but they are typically mild and short-lived, such as “feeling sore at the site of injection, low-grade fever, and body aches.” These side effects are very similar to those experienced by non-pregnant individuals when they receive the vaccine. This further supports that flu shots are completely safe for pregnant women.
Prevention of flu in pregnancy
Some safe, natural remedies for women to prevent flu while pregnant or find relief in case they’ve already caught it are,
- Gargle warm salt water.
- Complete your sleep, rest yourself thoroughly.
- Add a spoon of honey to hot water and drink it.
- Focus on hydrating yourself, including drinking adequate amounts of water everyday.
- You can also use nasal saline sprays.
- Try a humidifier in home spaces.
Simple hygiene practices like frequent handwashing with soap and water can also help to lessen flu infections. If soap and water aren’t available, you can instead use any hand sanitizer that has at least 60% alcohol content in it.
If you’re carrying a baby, we say—avoid crowded places altogether, especially during peak flu seasons. But if you must go outside, always go with a mask on to put up a solid defense against respiratory infections.
