Pregnancy increases reactions to the flu, endangering both you and your baby. If you’re pregnant when flu season hits—October through May—take it seriously. If you can, get a flu shot before you’re pregnant. If that’s not possible, get the flu shot when it comes out in October.
But first, read on to understand the controversy then make your best decision.
Research says that “...flu complications such as pneumonia are more common in pregnant women…and their risk of death from flu is higher, too.”[1] Women who get the flu during pregnancy are also at higher risk for premature labor or premature birth[2].
The extreme reaction you may have when you’re pregnant is because your immune system over-reacts.
Where “un-pregnant” people will suffer from those nasty headaches, body aches, foggy mind, fever, and generally-feeling-lousy symptoms of the virus, the latest research[3] suggests that a pregnant woman’s immune system creates an exaggerated inflammatory response instead. That inflammation can affect your baby’s developing brain[4].
That’s good to know but doesn’t help with your fever, sore throat, or body aches, does it? Maybe a dose of information will help…
FLU CHEATSHEET
A tiny virus carries the flu that endangers pregnant women and their babies. The infamous H1N1 flu is especially bad because it causes so many pregnant women to get pneumonia. And pneumonia increases your chance of premature delivery by four times.[5]
For your baby, the risks of consequences from the flu can be severe[6]:
- A four-fold increase in developing bipolar disorder in adulthood
- A three to seven-fold risk for developing schizophrenia
- Reduced brain circuit communications and altered long-distance brain wiring at birth
- Poorer cognitive function at one year
- Reduced impulse control and working memory at two years
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Neural tube (brain and spinal cord) defects[7]
Practice Prevention—Avoid People Who Are Already Achy, Sneezing, And Running A Fever.
Important numbers to keep in mind:[8]
- 3 – 6 feet is how far the flu virus can travel from one contagious person’s sneeze to another person’s nostril that inhales that virus. During flu season, try to stay at least 6’ away from anyone who’s sneezing or coughing.
- 24 – 48 hours is how long someone can be contagious without knowing it, and without even feeling sick. UGH, how are you supposed to know who to stay away from—who to kiss or not, who to work alongside, or not?
- 10 – 14 days is how long it takes for the flu vaccine to be effective. If it’s already flu season, getting the vaccine now won’t protect you immediately. But flu season is long …plenty of time for your late vaccination to take effect.
Put those numbers into action and stay away from anyone with symptoms or who could have been exposed to a contagious person (you’ll need your wizarding hat for that one).
Given that you may have to wait two weeks for your body to build up antibodies to the flu, getting your vaccine as early as possible makes a lot of sense, and greatly reduces the chance of serious flu complications[9]. Most doctors want you to get the vaccine, but your personal health may affect that advice.
Before you get shot up, check with your care provider.
Is the flu shot safe?
Most doctors will say yes[10], but there are conflicting opinions. Your health may also be a factor.
Your allergy history should be reported to your care provider. Severe allergic reactions to the flu shot are rare, and in your early prenatal appointments you’ve probably already talked about any allergies you have.
But if you haven’t, be sure to tell your doctor if you’ve ever had a severe reaction to a previous flu shot.
Some flu shots are made with eggs. If you have an egg allergy, the March of Dimes says you’re probably still safe to take the shot, although the CDC (Center for Disease Control) disagrees[11]. But just to be safe, get your shot not at work or a drug store, but in a medical setting (doctor office, clinic, hospital) from someone who knows how to treat severe allergic reactions.
Thermosal/mercury is part of most flu vaccines, but the CDC says the amount is so low almost anyone can take the vaccine. If you are severely allergic to mercury, ask your doctor to order a thermosal-free shot.
If you’ve ever had GBS (Gullain-Barré Syndrome—autoimmune paralysis), you may be able to take the flu shot. But some people who’ve had GBS shouldn’t take it. Again, be sure to discuss with your care provider.
According to The March of Dimes, pregnant women shouldn’t take the flu nasal spray[12].
The argument against the flu shot during pregnancy
Because the effects[13] of the flu shot on women and their fetuses, and because those effects have been incorrectly reported since 1997, not all doctors agree that pregnant women should take the flu shot.
Their objections to giving the flu shot are based on
- Bias in the studies led to an overestimation of the effectiveness and safety of the vaccine[14]
- A 20% increase in autism spectrum disorder in children whose mothers received the flu shot in their first trimester[15], [16]
- Vaccinated pregnant women had increased inflammation[17]
- Studies were poorly done and excluded important factors (like how many fetuses died)[18]
Pregnancy Increases Reactions To The Flu
Dissenting doctors also object to the heads of pharmaceutical companies being on the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) that helps make health policies.
At first, this committee advised giving the flu shot to women after their fifth month of pregnancy. Then the recommendation changed to all pregnant women getting the shot at any stage of pregnancy, with no regard to personal risk factors, immune responses, diet, regional exposures, and timing of the injection[19].
That’s excellent news for pharmaceutical companies’ profits.
Making Your Decision
Dr. Kelly Brogan suggests that women should find a doctor “who acknowledges the awesome dangers of blindly following medical doctrine.”[20] Some women have that option, but some—who live where few choices of care providers exist—do not have the choice.
But, other doctors disagree with Dr. Brogan. They deeply believe the science around flu shots during pregnancy is valid, trustworthy, and safe.
Ultimately, your decision is between you and your care provider.
No matter which decision you make, managing flu symptoms helps you feel better, protect your baby, and stay on the same page with your doctor.
[1] http://scopeblog.stanford.edu/2014/09/22/study-pregnancy-causes-surprising-changes-in-how-the-immune-system-responds-to-the-flu/
[2] https://www.marchofdimes.org/complications/influenza-and-pregnancy.aspx
[3] http://scopeblog.stanford.edu/2014/09/22/study-pregnancy-causes-surprising-changes-in-how-the-immune-system-responds-to-the-flu/
[4] https://news.ohsu.edu/2018/04/09/study-confirms-that-inflammation-during-pregnancy-is-linked-to-babys-brain
[5] http://scopeblog.stanford.edu/2014/09/22/study-pregnancy-causes-surprising-changes-in-how-the-immune-system-responds-to-the-flu/
4 https://www.nimh.nih.gov/news/science-news/2018/inflammation-in-pregnant-moms-linked-to-childs-brain-development.shtml
[7] https://www.marchofdimes.org/complications/influenza-and-pregnancy.aspx
[8] https://www.wsj.com/articles/six-feet-48-hours-10-days-how-to-avoid-flu-11546603200
[9] https://www.marchofdimes.org/complications/influenza-and-pregnancy.aspx
[10] https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/07/190710193920.htm
[11] https://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/qa_vacpregnant.htm
[12] https://www.marchofdimes.org/complications/influenza-and-pregnancy.aspx
[13] https://kellybroganmd.com/rejecting-flu-vaccine-in-pregnancy/
[14] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6164291/
[15] https://childrenshealthdefense.org/news/flu-shots-pregnancy-autism-cause-concern/
[16] https://www.focusforhealth.org/prenatal-flu-vaccine-asd-good-research-bad-conclusions/
[17] https://kellybroganmd.com/rejecting-flu-vaccine-in-pregnancy/
[18] https://kellybroganmd.com/rejecting-flu-vaccine-in-pregnancy/
[19] https://kellybroganmd.com/rejecting-flu-vaccine-in-pregnancy/
[20] https://kellybroganmd.com/rejecting-flu-vaccine-in-pregnancy/
