A pregnant woman who gets any type of flu has a greater chance for serious health problems. Compared with people in general who get 2009 H1N1 flu, pregnant women with 2009 H1N1 flu are more likely to be admitted to hospitals. Pregnant women are also more likely to have serious illness and can die from 2009 H1N1 flu. To protect yourself and your baby, make sure to get both the 2009 H1N1 flu shot and the seasonal flu shot.

If you are pregnant and have flu symptoms, call your doctor right away. Treatment should begin as soon as possible. Treatment works best when started early (within 48 hours after symptoms start).

Flu Shots and Pregnant Women
Pregnant women should get both the 2009 H1N1 flu shot and the seasonal flu shot because they can get seriously ill from any type of flu. Pregnant women should get the "flu shot"—a vaccine made with killed flu virus. This one is given with a needle, usually in the arm. Both 2009 H1N1 and seasonal flu shots are "killed" vaccines, so you cannot catch the flu from getting these shots. The other type of flu vaccine—a nasal spray—is not approved for pregnant women.

There is no evidence that thimerosal (a mercury preservative in vaccine that comes in multi-dose vials) is harmful to a pregnant woman or a fetus. However, because some women are concerned about thimerosal during pregnancy, vaccine companies are making preservative-free seasonal flu vaccine and 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine in single dose syringes for pregnant women and small children. CDC advises pregnant women to get flu shots either with or without thimerosal.

For More Information Visit: http://www.cdc.gov/Features/PregnantH1N1Flu/