“Can the flu cause a miscarriage?”
I am 6 months pregnant. I'm worried about how the flu vaccine would affect my baby, but I know I have to avoid the flu while pregnant because I know the disease can harm the baby. Can the flu cause a miscarriage?
1 Answer
Hi,
Not only does the flu shot not cause any defects or adversely affect a pregnancy, it is highly recommended by a number of medical groups. I urge my pregnant women to get one.
As far as the flu, the baby isn't directly affected but mom can be seriously affected. Because the immune system is depressed in pregnancy it is not only easier to get the flu, it is much more likely to be a severe form. If mom isn't eating, is running a high fever, or is getting very dehydrated, that will affect the pregnancy and baby, maybe even severely. Tamiflu is okay to take during pregnancy, but is not effective against all strains of influenza.
Hope this helps. I would highly encourage you to get the vaccine.
Cynthia Tucker, MD
Not only does the flu shot not cause any defects or adversely affect a pregnancy, it is highly recommended by a number of medical groups. I urge my pregnant women to get one.
As far as the flu, the baby isn't directly affected but mom can be seriously affected. Because the immune system is depressed in pregnancy it is not only easier to get the flu, it is much more likely to be a severe form. If mom isn't eating, is running a high fever, or is getting very dehydrated, that will affect the pregnancy and baby, maybe even severely. Tamiflu is okay to take during pregnancy, but is not effective against all strains of influenza.
Hope this helps. I would highly encourage you to get the vaccine.
Cynthia Tucker, MD
