[Influenza and pregnancy]

Abstract

Influenza is a viral infection that spreads around the world in seasonal epidemics and pandemics. Clinically it manifests with acute catarrhal, asthenoadymanic and tocsoinfectious syndromes. Influenza is highly contagious airborne disease with very short incubation period, general receptivity, mutability of the viruses, different complications and high risk of mortality. Pregnant women and their babies are very risk population. It is established that during seasonal viral epidemics there is an increase of morbidity and mortality among them. Influenza can cause abortion in the first trimester and premature delivery at later terms. On the other hand viral agents affect the unborn babies--they are often born with abnormalities like palatum fissum, defects of the neural tube and cardiomyopathy. Our concern is to decrease the risk for both mother and child through seasonal immune-prevention and vaccination, in advantage of which there are many studies and proved benefits.