Effects of influenza in early pregnancy

In this paper, we offer to familiarize with the topic: "Causes, treatment, prevention and consequences of influenza in pregnancy at different times."

Of course, future mothers resort to various methods of preventing diseases. But this is not always enough. For such a long waiting period of the baby there is a high probability of getting sick. Do not panic, if you have a little sore throat and runny nose, an ordinary cold will not hurt the baby. Much more serious is to pick up a serious infection. After reading the article to the end, you will learn:

• Flu symptoms;
• Danger to the child;
• How to be treated;
• How to avoid disease and much more.

Flu

In order to understand what the effects of influenza are, you need to find out what kind of disease it is. We will deal with this question in this section.

Some mistakenly call acute diseases (ARVI) the term "flu", it's wrong. The latter carries a more severe form, caused by disease by influenza viruses. In fact, there are a very large number (more than two thousand). A large number of people die each year, sometimes the figure reaches one million. In most cases, these people are 65 years of age or older.

Influenza can spread in two forms:

• epidemic;
• pandemic.

Influenza should not be confused with other viral infections, which are known at the moment more than two hundred, they carry diseases like flu. Among them, the most common viruses are:

• Andenoviruses;
• Rhinovirus;
• Respiratory syncytial and so on.

In the US there is a special center for disease control, it suggests that during epidemics, vaccination be given to those who are at risk. It is also recommended to vaccinate all citizens and children (over 6 months). The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends taking antiviral drugs, not contacting patients and using personal protective equipment.

Harm and consequences for my mother

The consequences of influenza during pregnancy and for mom and baby can be different. Now we will analyze the effect of the virus on the mother and the fetus. The consequences for the baby largely depend on the period of pregnancy, so we will further consider separately for trimesters.

What are the biological properties of influenza? This includes the following features:

• Damage to the mucous membranes;
• Airway lining;
• toxicity.

These features and caused the pathogenic effect of influenza. The virus enters the body through the respiratory tract, begins to secrete poisons that spread throughout the body with blood. They penetrate into the placenta, are entered into the system of the baby's blood circulation.

Another feature of the flu is a constant change, which is the reason for the lack of antigen in humans. There are three types of viruses:

• A - is characterized by variability;
• B - less volatile;
• C - no changes detected.

The most cautious should be before childbirth and in the last months of pregnancy, because it is at this time that the body of a woman is more susceptible to viral infections. During infection, the following functions are violated:

• Endocrine system;
• Immune system.

This all leads to an aggravation during and after pregnancy of chronic diseases.

1st trimester

Now we will consider influenza in the early stages of pregnancy. Consequences, danger and other issues will be provided in this part. Mom is important to understand that the more she experiences and is nervous, the chances of getting infected are higher. Even if you have been ill, then the child is not necessarily affected. Medicine does not stand still, even with the flu, they save both mother and baby.

The effects of influenza in the first trimester are most severe. What happens to a future baby in the period up to 12 weeks? Now very important processes are underway:

• The nervous system is formed;
• Internal organs are laid.

With high fever, it is necessary to fight (how to do it - the doctor tells), if you do not, the baby will be infected, and this will lead to the development of the following consequences:

• Encephalopathy;
• Convulsions;
• cerebral paralysis;
• death.

Also, if the placenta is damaged, the medicine is able to cope with this. Despite this, the following consequences are possible:

• Premature birth (despite this, the child is born viable);
• Developmental delay (intrauterine);
• Anhydration.

The last 2 points affect the weight of the child at birth (there is a chance of giving birth to a baby with insufficient body weight).

2nd trimester

Now we will examine the question of what are the consequences after the flu in the second trimester of pregnancy.

There is an opinion that the flu can harm a baby only during the first trimester, but it is not. The probability of infection of the fetus is, but it is already much lower. Why is the second trimester less dangerous? The thing is that the virus is much harder to overcome the obstacle (placenta), but the probability of penetration is still there. If you do not heal or do it wrong, the consequences can be the most horrible, up to the termination of pregnancy. A damaged placenta in the second trimester can lead to the following consequences:

• Growth retardation;
• Anhydration.

In the last paragraph it was already said that this can cause the birth of a baby with a small body weight.

3rd trimester

From this part of the article you can find out what are the effects of influenza in pregnancy in the third trimester. In the preface it was said that in the last months of pregnancy the body of a woman is most sensitive to viruses, during this period it is necessary to be extremely careful. Also in the third trimester, do not be lazy, do flu prevention (which means you can find out below).

Effects of influenza can be:

• Disorders of the cardiovascular system;
• Premature delivery;
• Exacerbation of chronic diseases of the mother;
• A general decrease in immunity to infections and so on.

It is important to know that the swine flu is the most dangerous in the third trimester. It spreads very quickly in the body of a future mother and can cause the death of a child. To prevent this, it is necessary to begin treatment immediately after the appearance of the first signs. They can be:

• heat;
• cough;
• headache;
• Vomiting;
• diarrhea.

Be sure to call a doctor to prescribe a treatment.

Effects

In this paragraph, we propose to sum up all that was said earlier. The consequences of influenza for both mother and child can be very diverse. At the first symptoms it is necessary to consult a doctor for treatment. For the mother, the effects of influenza can be as follows:

• Decreased immunity;
• Premature delivery;
• Exacerbation of chronic diseases and so on.

For the child, the consequences (depending on the period) are as follows:

• Encephalopathy;
• Convulsions;
• cerebral paralysis;
• death;
• Growth retardation;
• Disorders of the cardiovascular system;
• General decrease in resistance to infections and so on.

Diagnostics

Influenza during pregnancy has consequences terrible, you need to start treatment on time to prevent complications, save the life of a baby.

What is dangerous for this disease? It does not carry any specific phenomena. The flu is manifested in the same way as ARVI, only after the first complications are possible.

Diagnose influenza with:

• Inspection;
• Interrogation;
• Laboratory research.

What can you see on the examination? Here are some features:

• A blush on the cheeks;
• Shine of the mucosa;
• Language has a white touch and so on.

When interviewing a pregnant woman, the doctor needs to clarify whether she had contact with sick people, whether there were any outbreaks of infection. This information is important for the diagnosis.

Treatment

What consequences of the flu can be, you learned, now a little talk about how you can cure the disease without resorting to antibiotics that harm the child and are strictly prohibited to pregnant women.

It is important to know: do not go to the hospital with fever and bad health, call the doctor home. Do not take any medications.

Ventilate the room once an hour, it is mandatory to clean the room, dishes after washing should be poured with boiling water. If the temperature is high, then you can take the pill "Paracetamol". Antipyretics can be used 4 times a day (break for 6 hours), do not abuse them. The throat can be rinsed with either "Furacilin" or baking soda.

Hospitalization with flu without complications is not necessary. A woman must be hospitalized if:

• Complications occurred during the course of the illness;
• Chronic diseases became aggravated;
• There is no way to provide the necessary treatment at home.

Prevention

Influenza in a pregnant woman, the consequences of which we examined above, can be prevented. To do this, you must follow certain basic recommendations.

The first thing to remember is the restriction of exits to places of congestion of people. Avoid crowded places especially in cold weather. When entering the street, it is necessary to treat the nasal mucosa with oxolin ointment.

Reduces the likelihood of infection by taking a complex of vitamins for pregnant women. Talk this question with your doctor, he will tell you which one should be given preference.

If someone from the household "picked up" the flu, then try to limit contacts, observe the rules of personal hygiene. Do not eat from one dish, wash your hands more often, wear a gauze dressing, which should be changed every 2 hours.

Examination of pregnant women during illness

For an accurate diagnosis, you need to see a doctor. He, in turn, is obliged to interrogate you, examine and write directions for the necessary tests. There are the following laboratory methods for detecting influenza viruses:

• Express strips;
• PCR is the most popular and accurate method (smear from fauces);
• ELISA (detection with the help of the eye mucosa);
• RSK;
• RTGA;
• Virological method.

Which will be assigned to you, this is the decision of the attending physician. In any case, do not self-medicate, so as not to harm yourself and the child.