How does a cold or flu during pregnancy affect the baby?

Several studies from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that women who catch a cold or flu before or during pregnancy are more likely to have babies with birth defects.

Influenza is a disease caused by an acute viral infection of the respiratory tract. Usually influenza A has 15 H agglutinin antigens (H1-H15) and 9 neutralizing antigens N (N1-N9).
Usually, the illness will last 7-10 days and most people will fully recover on their own. For people with weakened immune systems, the disease can cause serious changes and even death due to complications.

Some signs to recognize the flu in pregnant women such as:
Dry cough Fever during pregnancy, slowly then high fever Sore throat Feeling chills Severe muscle or body pain Headache Congested, runny nose Prolonged fatigue. Flu symptoms often come on quickly and can be severe. Symptoms tend to be more severe and last longer. During the first 3 months of pregnancy, pregnant women are advised not to use drugs, especially antibiotics, to avoid the risk of miscarriage, pregnancy toxicity and sequelae and birth defects. .
However, if you are at risk of complications from the flu, your doctor may prescribe antiviral drugs, some prescription drugs to treat symptoms and complications.

Pregnant women having a cold or flu with a fever just before or during pregnancy may be associated with a number of birth defects such as:
Asthenia Ligation Bilateral renal failure. Pregnant women who have a cold or flu without a fever may not have an increased chance of having a baby with a birth defect. In particular, one of the recent studies showed that if pregnant women have a fever in the second trimester, it can increase the risk of autism by up to 40%. Having a fever after 12 weeks of pregnancy can triple your risk.
Researchers think that fever may be related to the body's response to the infection that causes fever, so it affects the brain development of the fetus. Some pregnant mothers, when the body has an immune response that can increase the risk of illness in the newborn.
Research has shown that the prevalence of autism increases by 34% when the mother has a fever during the first trimester and 40% when the mother has a fever during the second trimester. In the third trimester, a fever in the mother can increase the risk of autism in the fetus by 15%.
Details of fetal development week by week, every parent should learn:

The more fever, the higher the risk of illness in the child. The risk was 1.3 times higher for one or two fevers after 12 weeks of pregnancy, and for women who had three or more fevers after the first trimester there was a greater risk of autism. 3 times.
Besides, researchers also show that the mother's exposure to viruses and bacteria during pregnancy affects the environment in the mother's body, so the baby is at risk. risk of asthma and allergies in childhood.
In addition, these children are exposed to allergens such as dust and pet dander at an early age, increasing the child's susceptibility rate. Allergies and asthma can occur while the baby is still in the womb because both diseases are inherited.

There is currently no vaccine for the common cold. The best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu shot. Pregnant women should get a flu shot to protect themselves and their babies. Pregnant women should minimize contact with crowded places because flu viruses can spread through the air when someone talks. Wash your hands thoroughly because colds and flu can be spread by hands when sharing utensils with someone who is sick. Pregnant women should wash their hands with soap, warm water, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Avoid touching your nose, eyes and mouth. In addition, pregnant women should also choose gentle and appropriate exercises to improve their physical condition while ensuring a reasonable diet, eating a lot of fruits and vegetables to improve their immune system. body. The first 3 months are the most sensitive time during pregnancy, it will be very dangerous if the pregnant mother has a cold or flu. When contracting the flu in the first trimester, both mother and fetus can be seriously affected, causing miscarriage, fetal malformation, etc. is very high. That's why it's important to get vaccinated against the flu before and during pregnancy. In parallel with vaccination before and during pregnancy, in order to have a healthy fetus, pregnant women need periodic antenatal care and examination at reputable medical facilities.
With the desire to bring the most special and preferential care to mothers and babies right from the time of pregnancy to delivery, Vinmec International General Hospital now provides customers with vaccines for pregnant women and vaccines that can be given during pregnancy. The vaccines present at Vinemc all have clear origins and are preserved by a cold chain that meets GSP standards with a modern cold storage system, allowing vaccines to always be stored. Stored in the best condition. In addition, pregnant women are also examined and monitored before and after vaccination to ensure maximum health.
In addition, pregnant women can also choose the Package Maternity Care Program. Accordingly, mother and baby will receive comprehensive care: before, during and after birth. Mother will be performed health check-ups, especially thyroid screening, Rubella test; Testing for parasites transmitted from mother to child. The baby will be screened before birth and after birth to help screen for abnormal diseases and birth defects right from the womb. In particular, at Vinmec, doctors will analyze the results and provide genetic counseling for prenatal screening for babies.
In addition, the complete "painless delivery" service during and after delivery using non-morphine epidural and neuromuscular anaesthesia will remove the fear of childbirth for many mothers. During the birth process, the mother will be guided by the midwives on how to push and breathe properly, the baby will be born in just 10-15 minutes. After birth, the baby will be cared for in a sterile room before being returned to the mother.
Pregnant women will rest in a high-class hospital room, designed according to international hotel standards, 1 mother 1 room with full facilities and modern equipment. Mothers will be consulted by nutritionists on how to feed the baby before being discharged from the hospital. Postpartum follow-up with both mother and baby with leading Obstetricians and Pediatricians.

Reference source: Cdc.gov; Webmd.com