Theres new evidence that a mothers health during pregnancy could affect the health of her child later in life.
A study conducted at the University of Southern California has found children of women who had the flu while pregnant are at a higher risk of developing heart disease later in life, according to Reuters.
Researchers studied health records from the 1918 flu pandemic and found boys whose mothers were sick during their second or third trimesters were 23 percent more likely to develop heart disease after age 60 than those whose mothers were not sick.
On the other hand, girls whose mothers had the flu during their first trimester only were 17 percent more susceptible to cardiovascular problems.
The findings are important as the healthcare community is preparing for both the seasonal flu and the H1N1 virus to potentially affect millions around the world.
Many doctors suggest pregnant women get the flu shot to avoid the virus and its dangerous side effects.
containing vitamin D, vitamin C, zinc, echinacea and probiotics are all believed to help boost the immune system and fight off the flu and other viruses.