Flu in pregnancy

[MiniatureW]

Anyone ever experienced flu in pregnancy?

My husband has been suffering from flu overt last week, I'm nearly 6 weeks pregnant. I'm guessing cos I'm so early on I should be okay?

[0hCrepe]

It could be very debilitating if you catch it and you can get a flu jab.

[Frank85]

You need a flu jab asap
You really dont want flu if you are pregnant!

[MigGril]

Please go get a flu jab. Don't want to scare you to much but I've one friend who end up in hospital with flu while pregnant.

Stay as far away from your DH until then.

[MiniatureW]

I'm already booked in for flu jab this Tuesday coming but read on NHS website that it takes 2 weeks to form any kind of protection so won't be much use of I am coming down with flu :(

[LBOCS2]

If you do get it, make sure you take adequate paracetamol to keep your temperature under control - it's that as much as anything else which can cause problems, I got seriously told off by my MW for skimping on the paracetamol when I had an ear infection at about 8 weeks pregnant.

[mrsmugoo]

I'm 30 weeks and I've just had flu. I never actually got around to getting a jab which I'm kicking myself over now.

Flu isn't more dangerous in pregnancy in itself but it will probably hit you a bit harder and you are susceptible to complications such a pneumonia that could affect your pregnancy.

[Nicky333]

I had a flu jab and I'm pretty sure I've had flu over the last week and a half. I'm 32 weeks. They don't always get the strains for the flu jab right and I think that they might've missed one.

[mrsmugoo]

Yes actually I've heard that this year too - my MIL had exactly the same as me and she'd had a flu jab. Definitely some sneaky mutation around this year!

[mrsmugoo]

One of the most miserable 10 days of my life I might add - flu, pregnant, with 2 year old! (Husband away with work for 5 days of it)

[MiniatureW]

Ended up in A&E with my partner today- his flu has not cleared up and worried about pneumonia. Keep wondering whether or not to get seen- my flu symptoms are a little worse but the make thing for me is that I've a dull ache in my right side and it's just getting worse and worse. I asked the nurse who saw my partner and she said it was up to me whether or not to be seen- not very helpful! She said drink lots of fluid and take paracetamol. X

[Missingcaffeine]

I had flu two weeks ago (currently 24 weeks pregnant) and it was honestly the hardest week of my life and I'm still recovering. My partner was abroad with work and we have a 1 year old who was also extremely unwell with flu simultaneously.
I'd had the flu jab too!
There's not much can be done for you once you get flu - just Paracetamol, rest and fluids - that's what makes it so hard getting flu when pregnant - half the things that make you feel better can't be taken (Ibuprofen, decongestants etc) so you just have to suffer and let it get better on it's own - which usually takes longer than usual as you're pregnant.
There's not really much a doctor can do for flu so you're probably better resting unless you are developing other symptoms (like breathlessness - could be pneumonia) then of course you need to see someone.
I recommend spacing Paracetamol 6 hourly, as you can only take 8 in 24 hours. The first 24 hours of flu symptoms I made the mistake of taking Paracetamol 4 hourly then had to endure a whole night of severe shivering, aching and feeling absolutely awful.
If you have cough, honey helps a little, temporarily. I had lots of hot honey, lemon and ginger drinks. Steam or salt water nasal spray also helps a little if your sinuses are blocked.

[MiniatureW]

Thank you Missingcaffeine, that's really useful advice!

We have a 1 yo DD but I've packed her off to her Aunties! I get so emotional in the first trimester, I've been crying cos I miss her! Haha xx