Influenza, while considerably common in the present day, is still a dangerous disease that can easily have a number of severe effects. It is necessary to take prevention measures seriously and engage with the best current medical practices in order to promote the safety of oneself and their loved ones. Influenza spreads from person to person at a distance of up to 6 feet, facilitating spread in densely populated cities and urban environments. In the majority of cases, flu is contained within droplets of fluid, allowing for easy transmission in a variety of situations (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2018). Talking with a person with flu or touching various surfaces they had access to presents a danger to one’s immune system.
In the case of the flu, the most effective solution is vaccination. The flu people find today is largely not as dangerous as it was in the past, but there are certain risk groups that need more caution than others. Pregnant people, in particular, experience flu more severely, often requiring medical attention (CDC, 2021). Hospitalization is often required in these cases to ensure the wellbeing of both the future child and their parent. Waiting for a child to be born is a vulnerable period for a pregnant person, where the immune system is often under severe stress. The added pressure of forming a new organism puts the body under an increased strain, making it easier for people with pregnancies to get the disease. Additionally, influenza has the potential to affect the developmental process of a child, resulting in severe health issues or other unforeseen consequences (CDC, 2021). Therefore, people with pregnancies have to ensure their own safety and the safety of their future children by being vaccinated. Vaccination assists the immune system in preventing disease and prepares the body for possible appearances of the flu virus.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2018). How flu spreads. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Flu & pregnancy. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web.