HHS HealthBeat (January 11, 2010)

Depression, pregnancy and flu

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Jeff Levine with HHS HealthBeat.

A study indicates that pregnant women with significant symptoms of depression could have a tougher time with the flu, if they get infected. Researcher Lisa Christian at Ohio State University bases that on the response these women had to flu vaccinations.

A mild inflammatory response is normal. These women had a more powerful response. But Christian says that, if they got the flu instead of the vaccination, the response to the flu bug would be far more powerful.

So she says:

[Lisa Christian speaks] "Because they are at greater risk of complications from the flu, it’s recommended that all pregnant women receive the flu vaccine. And this study suggests that vaccination may be particularly important for women experiencing symptoms of depression."

The preliminary study in the journal Brain, Behavior and Immunity was supported by the National Institutes of Health.

Learn more at hhs.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Jeff Levine.

Last revised: May 7, 2011