Flu risk

[LadyPug]

Hi everyone, my mum is very ill in bed and thinks she has flu. She’s due to be with us for Christmas Day but isn’t sure she should risk it. I’ve had the flu jab - am I protected?

If I had flu, I wouldn't be going anywhere but bed. Certainly not mixing with vulnerable people, like pregnant women or elderly people.
You might be immune, but you might not, not worth the risk.

Thanks FadedRed I wasn’t sure if the vaccine was bulletproof. Probably like you say, not worth the risk

The vaccine is good and can be very effective, but flu is a tricky virus and there are several 'strains', which can also mutate as the flu season goes on. In some years it can be very effective (89-90%), in other years as low as (30-40%). And immunity can vary with different people, so some years the same vaccine can be very effective in people with fully functioning immune systems, but less effective in those whose immune systems are compromised e.g. Elderly people, pregnant women.
Flu in pregnancy can be dangerous to mum and baby, so really not worth the risk. Plan a fun 'second mini-Christmas' with Mum when she is better.

If she has flu she won’t be able to get out of bed, let alone come to your house on Christmas Day. Can someone call in on her?

The vaccine doesn't cover you for every single possible strain of flu, only the most common ones. I'd avoid someone with flu like the plague - the consequences if you catch it while pregnant can be very severe.

Thank you guys, this is really helpful. Bux yeah she hasn’t been out of bed yet so maybe I’m being optimistic! Nobody else can pop in other than my DH and he’s worried about catching it and passing it to me!!!

I’d definitely avoid her, I’m sure she really has no energy to be going out anyway though! Flu takes it out of you for a couple of weeks

I will! Someone suggested doing it another day so I think we’ll host a faux Christmas instead!

A faux Christmas sounds like a good idea!

I've had the flu twice during this pregnancy (currently 12 weeks and had both bouts between 7-11 weeks) and honestly it's so much worse to deal with when pregnant! I've never felt so poorly and ended up in a+e as I just couldn't get rid of it. Unfortunately I got it pretty much straight after finding out I was pregnant so no time to get flu jab. I was laid up for about 3 weeks and off work for 8 days in total and it took another week after that to feel human again.
I'd honestly avoid anyone with the flu like the plague, trust me you do not want it whilst pregnant!!

Thank you star I hope you are ok, it sounds awful!

Thanks @LadyPug I've heard being ill during pregnancy is bad but I can vouch first hand it's bloody horrendous! Thankfully better for Xmas day!