Flu dangerous for pregnant women

Flu activity in our area is still low, but we still have several more months to go.

The vaccine and good hand washing are the best ways to prevent the flu.

Everyone over 6 months old is encouraged to get a flu shot, and that includes pregnant women.

Pregnancy can cause changes in the functioning of your immune system, your heart and your lungs. So pregnant women are at a greater risk for complications from the flu and even death.

A flu shot is the best way to protect both mom and baby.

"The other benefit to giving mom the vaccine is then her immune globulins, her immune response is then passed to the baby so the baby will then have that passive immunity," said Dr. Rebecca Starck, Cleveland Clinic. "So especially for those babies that are going to be born during the flu season, it's very important for them."

Moms-to-be need to get the injection, not the FluMist.