Pregnant women, infants at risk during flu season

DOWNEY - The flu can strike anyone, anytime, but pregnant women and infants are especially at risk from the flu and its complications. And flu season is a dangerous time.South Los Angeles Health Projects (SLAHP) urges all pregnant women and parents of newborns to get their flu shots as soon as possible. Others who spend time near infants, such as family members, friends and caregivers, are also strongly encouraged to become immunized against the flu. At WIC centers located near Downey, health counselors explain the flu to pregnant women and new mothers during their visits and explain the importance of getting a flu shot. The health counselors describe the many serious problems the flu can cause for mother and baby, and urge pregnant women to be immunized. In October 2013 alone, 38 pregnant women visiting their Paramount WIC Center, for example, reported that after learning about the dangers of the flu, they had received a flu shot. "Some people are afraid of shots or don't believe they will work. But immunization is safe, and shots do work," Lizz Romo, senior immunization project coordinator for South LA Health Projects, said. "It's so important that pregnant women take steps to be immunized against the flu," Dr. Oliver Brooks, chair of Immunize LA Families Coalition, said. Dr. Brooks, a pediatrician, is associate medical director of Watts HealthCare Corp and chief of its Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. During pregnancy, changes occur in the immune system, heart and lungs that make a pregnant woman at greater risk than women who are not pregnant, according to Dr. Brooks. "For example, her flu could lead to pneumonia and possibly respiratory distress, requiring hospitalization, or to dehydration, which can be very dangerous. Both pneumonia and dehydration can lead to death." There's also danger to her unborn infant. "If she has a serious case of the flu, her unborn infant could experience what we call 'fetal distress'," Dr. Brooks said. This infant could be born prematurely and be underweight, compared to an infant born to a healthy mother." Infants less than 6 months old are not given flu shots because no vaccine is yet manufactured for that age group. When newborns catch the flu, they are in danger, because they usually do not have a strong enough immune system to fight the virus well. "The infant could suffer complications such as severe respiratory illness, dehydration, pneumonia or seizures, making hospitalization necessary," Dr. Brooks said. All infants 6 months of age and older, as well as all children and adults, should be immunized, according to Dr. Brooks. People with serious illnesses and seniors, in addition to pregnant women and infants, are especially vulnerable to complications from the flu, including pneumonia. "Furthermore, people who have been exposed to the flu but are not aware of it can spread the flu to anyone, including those most in danger," Dr. Brooks said. "People sometimes confuse flu with the common cold. But flu symptoms generally are far worse," Dr. Brooks said. The flu usually comes on suddenly. It can cause mild-to-severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Ill individuals often feel some or all of these symptoms: fever, the chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, tiredness. Some will have vomiting and diarrhea. The flu-related death of a Los Angeles woman has already been reported for the 2013-2014 flu season. People of any age are more likely to catch the flu where many people are present, such as shopping malls, holiday celebrations and church services. Immunization will protect them. The public can obtain flu shots at doctors' offices, medical clinics and pharmacies. Information about immunization counseling for pregnant women at SLAHP's WIC centers is available on the South LA Health Projects website, www.slahp.org. The addresses of SLAHP's 11 WIC centers can also be found there. Contact information for a wide variety of community health agencies also can be accessed on the website. WIC 's health counselors also share information about flu shots and all the recommended childhood shots with parents and guardians of infants and children up to age 5 if these children are WIC participants. Eligible Downey residents can learn about immunization and also receive food checks and other health benefits by visiting a WIC center in nearby South Gate, Bell Gardens, Cudahy, Lynwood, Paramount or anywhere else that's convenient. "We encourage all pregnant women, parents and grandparents who think they or their children might be eligible for WIC to call us," Heidi Kent, executive director of South LA Health Projects, said. "We want to share free health information and provide checks for nutritious foods." To learn more about eligibility for WIC and WIC health education services, phone (310) 661-3080.

********** Published: Nov. 28, 2013 - Volume 12 - Issue 33