Outside the window, the spring rays began to warmthe earth, and the air finally smells of spring. However, spring can present not only pleasant surprises. And one of these surprises is the flu, which is activated in the spring. Very often people treat the flu quite frivolously, equating it to a common cold. However, the flu is a much more serious disease that can cause a lot of trouble for a person. And the flu is especially dangerous for children and expectant mothers - because their immune system is the most imperfect, and the body is susceptible to various negative effects. And they need to avoid illnesses at all costs. This is what will be discussed below - how can pregnant women protect themselves from the flu? After all, having certain information, you can, if not completely exclude the likelihood of contracting the flu, then significantly reduce it.

What is dangerous for the future mother?

Before I begin the story of how the futuremother can protect herself from the flu, it is necessary to briefly explain why exactly the flu is so dangerous for a pregnant woman. Perhaps this information will help someone understand and assess the full scale of the possible danger and still take the necessary safety measures. Doctors believe that viruses enter the child's body through the mother's blood and infect it. If this happens in the very first weeks of pregnancy, there is a high risk of spontaneous abortion. And if the baby is infected in the second and third months of pregnancy, the laying of its organs or their development may go wrong. And as a result, the baby may develop certain pathologies. Although, of course, this is only a general scheme, so you should not take it too literally. The body of each woman is unique, so it is almost impossible to accurately predict what effect the flu virus will have in a particular case. However, doctors also talk about some features of the disease in pregnant women that cannot be ignored. If the expectant mother gets viral diseases, including flu, it increases the likelihood that the baby will get sick very often after birth. And not only viral diseases, but any diseases in general. And this happens because the baby's immune system suffers quite a lot as a result of the intrauterine infection. Therefore, flu prevention during pregnancy is the key to the baby's health in the future.

Flu Vaccination During Pregnancy

Well, now it's time to talk about exactly howpregnant women to protect themselves from flu. The first thing that doctors suggest is a flu vaccination. However, this method of protection against flu is also very controversial. As is known, during pregnancy, in principle, it is highly undesirable to have any vaccinations, especially in the early stages. Therefore, if a pregnant woman is to be vaccinated against flu, then only in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. In addition, we cannot help but talk about what doctors usually prefer to keep silent about. Do you know how a vaccine is obtained for a particular disease, including flu? That's right, based on the viruses that doctors already have. But surely no one will find it news that the flu virus changes every season? Moreover, it often changes quite significantly. Therefore, alas, in most cases, a flu vaccination does not give any effect at all, except perhaps moral complacency. However, if we are talking about a pregnant woman, a flu shot can result in illness, and precisely the form of flu that she was vaccinated against. And do not be surprised - this is quite natural and easily explained - after all, the immune system of any pregnant woman is significantly weakened. Otherwise, the woman would simply not be able to bear a child. Therefore, if you still prefer to play it safe and get a flu shot, take care of this in advance - even before conception. Although, in fairness, it is worth noting that this measure is practically meaningless - the effect of the vaccine lasts only three to six months. But in any case, before doing anything, consult with your doctor.

Limiting contacts with others

Probably the best one to dateThe way to protect pregnant women from the flu is to limit all contacts with people around them. But, of course, this is also the most difficult way. After all, the expectant mother is forced to leave the house every day - to work, to the store, and just to breathe fresh air, after all. And any family member can bring an infection into the house - you can't insure yourself against this. But it is still necessary to observe safety measures. So:

Avoid crowded places.The more people surround the expectant mother, the higher the chance of catching the virus. Visits to supermarkets, cinemas, concerts should be postponed to another, more favorable time. Let other family members go shopping, and if this is not possible, give preference to small shops where there are fewer people.

Avoid public transport.The percentage of flu infections is very high in public transport. Therefore, the expectant mother should try to use it as little as possible. Perhaps someone from your family can take you to work or to the antenatal clinic? Or can you afford to order a taxi? Or, if the distance is not great and it is not too cold outside, it makes sense to walk - this will not only reduce the risk of catching the flu, but is also good for your health.

Use protective masks.Lately, disposable masks are no longer surprising. Therefore, if you cannot avoid crowded places, it makes sense to use a protective mask. Doctors say that this method is very effective - it allows you to reduce the risk of disease by about 80%, which is very, very impressive. However, you should not try to save money and use the same mask several times. Remember the "golden" rule - one mask at a time.

Dress for the weather.Always remember that a weakened body is especially vulnerable to the flu virus. And a pregnant woman's immune system, by default, works worse than everyone else's. Therefore, it is necessary to carefully avoid other provoking factors, and first of all - hypothermia. Always dress strictly according to the weather, even if you only need to walk 100 meters. Remember - you should not feel the cold. And pay special attention to your shoes - your feet should be warm and, accordingly, dry. Otherwise, one single exit from the house can result in the flu.

Avoid contact with a sick person.If someone you know is sick, avoid all contact with them. If the sick person is your colleague, try to take sick leave. In almost all cases, the gynecologist will definitely meet you halfway. And finding a reason to issue a sick leave to a pregnant woman is not that difficult. If your family member is sick, isolate him in another room as soon as possible. Ideally, it is better for the expectant mother to leave the apartment for a while - for example, go to relatives. If this is not possible, try to entrust the care of the penis to someone else. If this is not possible, be sure to use disposable protective masks.

Wash your hands as often as possible.The simple rule "Cleanliness is the key to health" is the best fit for this situation. During epidemics, it is necessary to wash your hands as often as possible, and always with soap. Wash them periodically, even if you are always at home. And when you return from the street, it is simply necessary to wash your hands.

Pharmacological preparations

Some of them can also be taken into servicepharmacological drugs. For example, gynecologists recommend rinsing the nose with a sea salt solution for prevention. Such a salt solution is sold in any pharmacy, without a prescription. It is necessary to rinse the nose every four hours, and immediately before leaving the house and upon returning home. Another very effective means of protecting yourself from the flu is ordinary oxolinic ointment, which our grandmothers used. Before each exit from the house, thoroughly lubricate the nostrils with oxolinic ointment. If you plan to be away from home for more than two hours, take the ointment with you. And do not forget to thoroughly wash your hands before lubricating. Various multivitamin complexes are no less useful during flu epidemics. Of course, expectant mothers should regularly take multivitamin complexes. But in order to protect yourself from the flu virus, you should additionally take vitamin C. Ask your gynecologist to help you choose the right drug. All the above measures will help you reduce the risk of catching the flu to the minimum possible. And spring will delight you with only the gentle rays of the sun, the singing of birds. And there is no need to spoil this picture with thermometers and pills, right? But if you still failed to protect yourself and you got infected, do not panic. Despite all the "horror stories" of doctors, complications are extremely rare. Therefore, do not panic, but immediately begin treatment. However, of course, there are peculiarities of treating flu during pregnancy, so immediately consult a doctor. We advise you to read:

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