When to Get a Flu Vaccine

For most adults, September and October are generally good times to be vaccinated each year.  Vaccination during July and August also can be considered for people who are in the third trimester of pregnancy during those months, because this can help protect their infants from flu for several months after birth (when they are too young to be vaccinated).

A Long Record of Safety for Flu Shots during Pregnancy

Other Preventive Actions

In addition to getting a flu vaccine, pregnant people should take the same everyday preventive actions CDC recommends for everyone, including avoiding people who are sick, covering coughs and sneezes, and washing hands often. This also can include taking steps for cleaner air and hygiene practices like cleaning frequently touched surfaces. More information is available about core and additional prevention strategies.

Symptoms and Treatment

If you get flu symptoms call your health care provider right away. There are prescription flu antiviral drugs that can treat flu illness and prevent serious flu complications. CDC recommends prompt flu antiviral treatment for people who have confirmed or suspected flu infection and who are at higher risk of serious flu complications, such as pregnant people. Early treatment of flu in hospitalized pregnant people has been shown to reduce the length of the hospital stay.

Symptoms

Flu symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. Some people may also have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than in adults. People may be infected with flu and have respiratory symptoms without a fever.

Antiviral Treatment

• Influenza antiviral drugs are medicines that fight against flu by keeping flu viruses from making more viruses in your body.
• Antiviral drugs can make your flu illness less severe and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious health problems that can result from flu illness..
• Treatment with an influenza antiviral drug should begin as soon as possible because these medications work best when started early (within 48 hours after symptoms start).
• You need a prescription from a health care provider for an influenza antiviral medication.

When to Seek Emergency Medical Care

If you are pregnant and have any of these signs, call 911 right away:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Persistent dizziness, confusion, inability to arouse
• Seizures
• Not urinating
• Severe muscle pain
• Severe weakness or unsteadiness
• Fever or cough that improve but then return or worsen
• High fever that is not responding to Tylenol® (or store brand equivalent)
• Decreased or no movement of your baby

This list is not all inclusive and only refers to warning signs related to respiratory illness. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptom that is severe or concerning.