Pregnancy’s hidden superpower: scientists discover natural flu defense that protects moms and babies
We’ve always known moms were superheroes, but now science is proving it. A new study from McGill University shows that pregnancy might actually activate a natural flu defense in your body—keeping both you and your baby safer.
Wait, what? Isn’t pregnancy supposed to make you more vulnerable to getting sick? That’s what we’ve always been told. But this study, published in Science Advances, says the opposite might be true, at least for the flu.
McGill researchers found that during pregnancy, the immune system adapts in ways that block the flu virus from spreading to the lungs, where it can get serious. Basically, your body says, “Not today, flu.”
“A mother needs to stay healthy to protect her developing baby, so the immune system adapts to provide stronger defenses. This fascinating response in the nasal cavity is the body’s way of adding an extra layer of protection, which turns on during pregnancy,” researcher Dr. Maziar Divangahi told Medical XPress, a medical research reporting platform.
Here’s the breakdown: The researchers studied mice (for real, mouse biology is surprisingly similar to humans in key ways) and discovered that pregnancy flips a switch in the immune system. Specific immune cells in the nasal cavity activate, releasing a molecule that prevents the Influenza A virus from causing significant damage.
Related: I’ll be an ‘overprotective’ mama this RSV season—and I’m not sorry for it
Translation: Your body adds an extra layer of defense to protect you and your baby because, evolutionarily speaking, that’s kind of the priority. And here’s the kicker: This immune boost happens in the upper airways, like your nose. So, if it feels like pregnancy is literally sniffing out danger—well, it kind of is.
Here’s where it gets exciting for everyone else: The scientists think they might be able to replicate this pregnancy superpower in non-pregnant people. That could mean new nasal sprays or treatments that give the rest of us the same kind of flu-blocking power. Their next step? Using this research to prevent lung damage caused by other viral infections, like COVID-19.
Related: Is it the flu, RSV, a cold, allergies or Covid?
Moms have always been the OG protectors—raising babies, holding it all together, and now inspiring cutting-edge science. So, while pregnancy is already a miracle in itself, this study just gave us one more reason to be in awe of what moms can do. From growing a baby to possibly sparking the next big medical breakthrough, moms are the gift that keeps on giving. And now we’re crying. (Again.)
Sources:
Pregnancy enhances antiviral immunity. 2024. Science Advances. Pregnancy enhances antiviral immunity independent of type I IFN but dependent on IL-17–producing γδ+ T cells in the nasal mucosa.
Scientists discover a natural flu defense mechanism. 2024. Medical Xpress. Scientists discover a natural flu defense mechanism that activates in the nasal cavity during pregnancy.
