Flu-season immune support: second trimester

By trimester

Weeks 14–27

2nd trimester

Getting vaccinated is still the top priority. This is often when people catch up on vaccines if they haven't already gotten them. Your provider may also suggest an intranasal steroid or a second-generation antihistamine on top of basic supportive care.

What does the evidence show for flu-season immune support?

• The flu shot is recommended in any trimester, and many providers use second-trimester visits to catch up on flu, Tdap, and RSV vaccines together. 1
• Pregnant people face a higher risk of severe flu and hospitalization than non-pregnant adults, which is why getting vaccinated now protects both you and your baby. 2
• Intranasal steroids like fluticasone and second-generation antihistamines like cetirizine are broadly acceptable options for congestion or allergy symptoms during pregnancy. 3
• Balanced nutrition, enough protein, and covering key nutrients like vitamins A, C, D, E, zinc, iron, and selenium all support your immune system, and most prenatal vitamins already cover this exact list. 4
• Pregnant women whose flu progresses to pneumonia often show breathing distress, rapid breathing, and pleuritic chest pain, and severe cases carry a higher chance of complications including fetal distress from poor oxygenation and preterm birth. 5

When should I call my provider about flu-season immune support?

Call your provider the same day, or seek urgent care, for trouble breathing or unusually fast breathing, or chest pain that is sharper when you breathe in. Pregnancy raises the chance that a bad case of flu progresses to pneumonia, which can show up as breathlessness, rapid breathing, and pleuritic chest pain alongside a cough. Severe respiratory illness that isn't caught early can lower oxygen delivery to your baby and raise the chance of preterm birth, so these symptoms call for same-day attention rather than home monitoring alone. None of these lists replace your own judgment: if this symptom worries you, that on its own is enough reason to check in with your healthcare provider.