Pregnant women more at risk for flu

NEW ORLEANS - If you or someone you know is expecting a baby, doctors want to make sure you?know that flu season can be especially dangerous for mothers-to-be.

Expectant mothers are of special concern to doctors this flu season because the fact that they are expecting, weakens their immune systems.

"Any illness that a pregnant woman might develop could put the infant at risk,?the fetus at risk.??So as a consequence, we need to do everything that we can," said Dr. Fred Lopez, a professor of medicine and infectious diseases at LSU Health Sciences Center.

Expectant mothers need to make sure they take precautions against getting sick with hand washing. But that is not enough. These women are a priority group to get both the seasonal flu vaccine and the swine or?H1N1 vaccine.

"There is no doubt that this is the single most effective intervention for protection against the development of flu in pregnancy and there's no studies that show that this is in any way contraindicated for someone who's pregnant. In fact, the benefits far outweigh any risks," added Dr. Lopez.?

Here are the staggering statistics: Doctors say pregnant women make up only 1?percent?of the?U.S. population but already they make up?6 percent of those who have died from flu in the?U.S. And they are?four times more likely to be hospitalized with flu than women who are not pregnant.

"The immunodeficiency that's conferred by the state of pregnancy clearly puts these individuals at risk for the complications, including death," warned Dr. Lopez.???

But here is another reason why doctors say it's important for mothers-to-be to be vaccinated. When their babies are born, they can not get a flu shot until they are?six months old, but if mom was vaccinated babies carry some of her immunity with them in the beginning of life.

"There are some studies that show a decreased rate of flu infection in children whose mothers have been immunized," said Dr. Lopez.??

It is important that pregnant women only get the shots,?never the nasal spray flu vaccine. The spray has the live virus in it. And if you are concerned about any mercury-based preservatives that are in the vaccines, you should ask your doctor for the one that is preservative free. Also if you get both the seasonal and?H1N1 vaccines on the same day, role up both sleeves.

"You can take them at the same time, they just have to be given in different locations. So right arm for seasonal flu, left arm for 2009 H1N1," explained Dr. Lopez.?

Pregnant women are less likely to get a flu shot because of health concerns for their babies and because many times their OB-GYNs do not stock them. The season flu vaccine is available now and the swine flu vaccine will be out in Mid-October.