The Flu !

Ambo13Debo · February 2016

Currently I'm 13 weeks pregnant and yesterday I was showing positive for the flu but I received the flu vaccine a month prior so I guess I'm just curious on how this will affect the baby.

PinkLady2015 · February 2016

Lurking from July with fabulous advice

the main things you need to worry about are fever and dehydration. If you have a fever, baby has a fever. It's not as detrimental as you're entering second tri... Fevers during 4-6 wks can cause some issues as that's when the nureal tube is developing the most. Tylenol is safe during pregnancy and a good fever reducer so follow your docs instructions and drink the hell out of Gatorade to maintain electrolytes and stave off dehydration! Feel better.

Ambo13Debo · February 2016

Thank you, I needed to hear that. I was feeling horrible but, the Tylenol reduced the fever so thats good news thank you for the advice.

gadzooks_3 · February 2016

Sounds like you got a strain not covered by the vaccine, what a bummer. @PinkLady2015 gave great advice. Keep in touch with your doc, hydrate, and try to remember those non-medicinal interventions like using a bowl of hot water and a towel to steam your sinuses without cooking the rest of you, tea with honey for your throat, and that recent study that said chocolate can help a cough. Also, you can consult a nurse line or pharmacist about medications. Just keep track of that fever and take care. Feel better.

smilormarie · February 2016

It's possible with your reduced immune system (since you were already pregnant when you got the flu shot) your body may not have made the correct antibodies. It will be important to get next year's flu shot in early Aug as soon as it's available so the antibodies can pass to the newborn. Aug is that perfect time of year in that our kiddos will not be 6 months until the end of flu season when they can start to receive their own shot.

feel better! I know a friend of mine in healthcare who had the flu shot, still got the flu during early pregnancy and her doctor advised she also take tamiflu to reduce the duration. Her son was born perfectly healthy. Good luck!

Mrsrundell · February 2016

I have been fighting it for the past few days too. I make a homemade theraflu and it really helps to soothe. I will chop off a few chunks from a ginger root, then hit each piece with the butt of the knife to get the juice flowing. Add it to a pot of water. Then quarter a lemon and squeeze the juice into the water. Drop the lemon rinds in the water. Boil all together and after you pour it into your mug add a generous squeeze of honey. Drink when really warm/hot.

HeyStVincent · February 2016

If it's been less than 48 hours with symptoms, you should see if you can get Tamiflu. I'm not sure if Tamiflu is OK for early pregnancy, but I know it's OK later on. I had the flu last year when I was 37 weeks pregnant and was given Tamiflu after 24 hours of symptoms. It literally knocked the flu right out of me. I started feeling better within 12 hours of taking it - that's how crazy it was. I went from thinking I was dying (it hurt/was exhausting just to move and I had horrible, uncontrollable coughing) to feeling like I could walk to the store to go get some tea - in 12 hours. I went back to work 5 days later. However, if it's been more than 48 hours with symptoms, it might not be so effective - but keep this in mind for next time you think you might have the flu!

As others have said - keeping fever under control and maintaining adequate hydration is key. If you can do those two things you're doing good for yourself and for baby. Also, if you develop any difficulty breathing/feeling short of breath, get to the ED asap.

Hope you're feeling better soon.

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