"Pregnant women are at higher risk for serious illness and complications including death from influenza. For expectant mothers hospitalized with flu early treatment with the influenza antiviral drug oseltamivir may shorten their time in the hospital especially in severe cases suggests a new study published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases and available online. The findings also underscore the importance of flu vaccination for this risk group. Treating pregnant women who have influenza with antiviral drugs can have substantial benefit in terms of reducing length of stay in the hospital said Sandra S. Chaves MD MSc of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC and senior author of the study. CDC recommends treatment of suspected cases of flu among pregnant women with antiviral drugs as soon as possible without waiting for test results to confirm influenza. The earlier you treat the better chances you have to modify the course of the illness. Past studies have suggested that flu antiviral therapy is safe and beneficial for pregnant women. The current study based on data from a nationwide flu surveillance network including  states focused on pregnant women hospitalized with laboratoryconfirmed flu over four recent flu seasons from  to . During the study period  pregnant women were hospitalized with flu. Sixtythree of these patients or about  percent had severe illness. After adjusting for underlying medical conditions vaccination status and pregnancy trimester the researchers found that early treatment with the antiviral drug oseltamivir was associated with a shorter hospital stay. Among pregnant women with severe flu illness who were treated early  within two days of the start of symptoms  the median length of stay was about five days shorter compared to hospitalized pregnant women with severe flu illness who were treated later . days vs. . days. Pregnant women hospitalized with less severe illness who were treated early also had a shorter hospital stay than those treated later but the difference was not as great. In the study pregnant women hospitalized with severe flu illness were half as likely to have been vaccinated as women hospitalized with milder illness  percent vs.  percent. CDC recommends annual flu vaccination for everyone  months of age and older including pregnant women during any trimester of their pregnancy. Earlier studies have suggested that immunization during pregnancy may protect not only the mother from flu but also her newborn baby during the first  months of life. All pregnant women should receive annual influenza vaccination to prevent influenza and associated complications for themselves and their infants the study authors wrote. A related editorial commentary by Alan T. N. Tita MD PhD and William W. Andrews PhD MD of the University of Alabama at Birmingham accompanies the new study in The Journal of Infectious Diseases. Overall considering the accumulating evidence of fetal benefit and safety influenza vaccination of pregnant and postpartum women should be a public health priority in accordance with national recommendations the commentary authors wrote. Prompt initiation of antiviral therapy if infection occurs preferably within two days of suspected or confirmed influenza infection is encouraged.   Fast Facts   Among pregnant women hospitalized with severe flu who were treated early with an antiviral medication the median length of their hospital stay was about five days shorter compared to similar patients treated later.  Pregnant women who were hospitalized with severe cases of flu illness were half as likely to have been vaccinated as women with nonsevere illness.  Annual vaccination against flu is recommended for everyone  months of age and older including pregnant women who are at high risk of serious flu illness and complications. Editors Note The study authors and editorial commentary authors affiliations acknowledgments and disclosures of financial support and potential conflicts of interests are available in the study and the commentary which are embargoed until  a.m. EST on Thursday Feb. . For an embargoed copy of the study and the commentary please contact Emily Zaideman  ezaidemanpcipr.com mailtoezaidemanpcipr.com.  Published continuously since  The Journal of Infectious Diseases is the premier global journal for original research on infectious diseases. The editors welcome major articles and brief reports describing research results on microbiology immunology epidemiology and related disciplines on the pathogenesis diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases on the microbes that cause them and on disorders of host immune responses. The journal is an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America IDSA. Based in Arlington Va. IDSA is a professional society representing nearly  physicians and scientists who specialize in infectious diseases. For more information visit http Follow IDSA on Facebook and Twitter."