Stating that influenza infection is more severe in pregnant individuals, Gynecology and Obstetrics Specialist Opr. Dr. Hilal Mürüvvet Bulut Aydemir said, “Influenza infection can be more severe in pregnant women than in the normal population due to physiological changes due to increased oxygen demand, increased diaphragm, decreased lung capacity and weakened immunity during pregnancy. They should consume fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C.”
Liv Hospital Samsun Gynecology and Obstetrics Specialist Opr. Prof. Dr. Hilal Mürüvvet Bulut Aydemir made statements about flu prevention during pregnancy and what to pay attention to.
“Flu is more severe in pregnant women”
Briefly defining the flu, Opr. Dr. Aydemir said, “The common cold, popularly known as a cold or flu, is an upper respiratory tract disease with a milder course than the flu. Flu is caused by a virus called influenza. The influenza virus is transmitted through the respiratory tract, but it can spread throughout the body and cause symptoms that affect the whole body. Therefore, influenza causes a more severe disease process than the common cold. Influenza infection may be more severe in pregnant women than in the normal population due to increased oxygen demand, increased diaphragm, physiological changes due to decreased lung capacity and weakened immunity during pregnancy.”
“Attention should be paid to seasonal transitions”
Pointing out that flu increases during seasonal transitions, Opr. Dr. Aydemir said, “Influenza infection, although it starts to be seen in October, is seen in the form of flu waves, especially between December and March. In such periods, the risk of transmission and the risk of disease increases during seasonal transitions. The influenza virus is transmitted by droplet, i.e. the virus-containing droplets emitted by the sick person during talking, coughing and sneezing are transmitted by the healthy person's respiratory tract. It can also be transmitted through hands that have been in contact with droplets. Flu symptoms appear within 1-3 days after the virus enters the body.”
“Symptoms of the common cold”
Dr. Aydemir said about the symptoms of cold and flu during pregnancy: “Nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes, pain in the ears, mild headache. Flu symptoms are high fever (38 degrees and above), chills, headache, muscle and joint pain, sore throat, dry cough, runny nose, severe weakness.”
“Hands should be washed frequently”
Referring to the things to be considered to protect against influenza during pregnancy, Aydemir said, “Hands should be washed frequently, and if you are in closed environments, ventilation should be done at regular intervals. Especially during epidemic periods, crowded environments should be avoided, and if possible, masks should be used if crowded environments are to be used. Eat a balanced diet and consume fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C. And of course, the most effective method of protection is vaccination. Since flu can cause serious complications in pregnant women, we strongly recommend flu vaccine for pregnant women. Since the vaccine does not contain live virus agents, it is safe in pregnancy. CDC and ACOG have reported that inactivated influenza vaccine can be administered at any time of pregnancy during or before the influenza season. It is especially important for pregnant women to receive influenza vaccine between October and April, which is known as influenza season. However, October is the best time for vaccination. The flu vaccine protects you from infection to a great extent, and even if you get sick, it helps you to get over it mildly. The most important thing is that the antibodies created by the vaccine in you pass to your baby and provide protection for several months in your baby after birth.”
“A diet rich in vitamin C”
Drawing attention to what can be done during infection, Aydemir said the following: “When influenza infection occurs during pregnancy, you should drink plenty of water, get plenty of rest, and focus on foods rich in vitamin C (citrus fruits, strawberries, kiwi, broccoli, cauliflower, cauliflower, pepper, spinach). The air in the room should be humid, humid air is good for coughing and nasal congestion, air humidifiers can be used for this purpose. Saline nasal drops can be used for nasal congestion, and you can gargle with salt water several times a day for sore throats. You can consume herbal teas such as linden to soothe your throat. In case of muscle pain and headache, you can use paracetamol-containing medicines in doses recommended by your doctor. Since the flu is caused by the influenza virus, it is useless to use antibiotics that are effective in bacterial infections, but if otitis, sinusitis, pneumonia and other infections develop after prolonged flu, it will be appropriate to use the antibiotic prescribed by your doctor. In severe cases such as high fever, severe muscle pain, respiratory distress, shortness of breath, you should definitely consult a doctor and use antiviral drugs recommended by your doctor.”
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