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Family History of Obesity
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genetic risk factors
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Sedentary Lifestyle
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Drug interactions are changes in the effect of one drug due to the effect of either another drug taken at the same time (drug-drug interactions) or food consumed while the drug is being taken (drug-food interactions). Some drugs are deliberately combined for administration because there are beneficial effects to be derived.
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Drug allergies are a group of symptoms caused by allergic reaction to a drug (medication.
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Detailed information on different types of drug rashes, including acne, exfoliative dermatitis, fixed drug eruption, hives, morbiliform/maculopapular rash, purpuric eruptions, Stevens-Johnson syndrome
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A drug allergy is an adverse reaction to a medication, often an antibiotic, that is mediated by the body ' s immune system. A drug sensitivity is an unusual reaction to a drug that does not involve the immune system.
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If you want to be fully informed, you should read the fine print connected with any drug that you intend to use.
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Drug metabolism is the process by which the body breaks down and converts medication into active chemical substances. Precautions Drugs can interact with other drugs, foods, and beverages.
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Detailed information on food-drug interactions
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Can the high blood pressure drugs Vasotec and Toprol affect the libido?
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Exploring the causes and treatment for loss of taste, which may result from years of taking high blood pressure medications.
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A guide to information available online and in print about the side effects of prescription drugs.
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Chemotherapy and radiation treatments save lives. They also can bring a variety of temporary but unpleasant side effects.
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Starting at what is commonly called middle age, operations of the human body begin to be more vulnerable to daily wear and tear; there is a general decline in physical, and possibly mental, functioning. In the Western countries, the length of life is often into the 70s.
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In general, only about three percent of the elderly living independently in the community will experience depression. That figure increases to around 20 to 30 percent of persons in nursing homes or with chronic illnesses like emphysema, heart disease or diabetes.
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Aging is the process of growing older, a process that includes physical changes and, sometimes, mental changes. "The aged" refers to elderly people, those who have reached an advanced age.
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Through the daily grapevine of popular culture, we get the message over and over that young is better than old. But new research contradicts these age-old stereotypes. Indeed, studies suggest that the older you get, the happier you become.
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Starting at what is commonly called middle age, operations of the human body become more vulnerable to daily wear and tear. There is a general decline in physical, and possibly mental, functioning.
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13 Real-Life Age-StoppersYou can't turn back the clock, but you can slow down the aging processes often associated with getting older.Says Robert N. Butler, M.D., president and CEO of The International Longevity Center in New York City: "Many of t...
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This term is used by demographers when referring to an increase over time in the proportion of older persons in the population. It does not necessarily imply an increase in life expectancy, that " people are living longer that they used to, " or that they are dying on average at older ages, although these phenomena are usually observed in association with aging of the population.
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Consider this fact: More than half the people who ever lived to be 65 are alive today. That alone suggests that myths about aging based on past generations may not hold true for this one. Let's look at 10 of those myths, and see what experts have to say about them.
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Discusses what we can do, if anything, to put ourselves in the category of those who live to advanced ages.
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Art, music, and other challenging activities may play a role in keeping the mind alert, even for those affected by dementia.
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Not only do baby boomers expect to live into their 80s or 90s, but they are expecting to be independent, one expert says.
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Beyond giving you energy to conquer a multitasking day, your diet can help slow the tick-tock of the biological clock that governs the aging process.
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This report helps you avoid common health woes, such as heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer's disease, and sight and hearing disorders.
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No need to search for a secret formula to erase the effects of getting older. You already have the power to keep yourself feeling young for years.
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This report can help you preserve your independence and remain in your home in your later years. Includes information on financial and legal planning, finding and working with a caregiver, and useful home modifications.
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A practical guide to the causes of memory loss and the steps you can take to improve your ability to learn and remember for a lifetime.
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This report takes a view of the whole woman and helps her choose the most practical strategies for making her midlife transition.
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New research indicates that-while not exactly a fountain of youth-exercise can reverse some of the physiological signs of aging and reduce overall disease and mortality.
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This report describes causes and treatments for the most common age-related skin problems. It also reviews the newest and most effective cosmetic treatments, including anti-aging creams, laser procedures, Botox injections, and surgeries.
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This report details how physical changes that occur as you age can affect your sexuality.It includes information on the therapies and medications that can help you overcome sexual problems.
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Like the rest of your body, your eyes naturally change throughout your life. These changes occur gradually and become apparent in later years, as the structures in and around your eyes become less efficient. For most people, the first sign is presbyopia, deterioration of close-up vision. Luckily, this problem can be treated with reading glasses or bifocals.
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Aimed at older adults, this report provides practical advice on how to avoid common and often deadly accidents at home.
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Learn how to put together a caregiving plan, draw on useful services, and address legal, medical, and financial planning issues. Also, find advice on involving family members, handling daily tasks, and maintaining your well being.
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While regular physical activity is a cornerstone of wellness at any age, it’s during your 30s, 40s and 50s that exercise becomes especially important.
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Physical removal of age spots can be costly and painful. Topical treatments take time to work, but are generally safe, cost less than removal procedures, and are easier on the skin.
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It's never easy to ponder death, whether you're facing the demise of a loved one or the end of your own life. But taking some time to think and plan ahead for those final hours or days can be a future blessing for your family and others close to you. Most people want a say in all life's important decisions. The same should be true regarding decisions surrounding death, such as what kind of medical treatment you receive. But what if you're unable to make your decisions or wishes known? Say, for example, you are unconscious and can't speak or hear. Unless you have spoken with your loved ones and taken certain legal actions, there may be confusion and stress over what those decisions will be and who can make them for you.
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Alcohol (ethyl alcohol or ethanol) consumption has a social aspect to it, but it is often abused. The effect of alcohol consumption on the body depends on how often it is consumed, how much, and the alcohol content of the drinks.
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Alcohol use involves drinking alcohol, which is produced by fermenting the starch or sugar in fruits and grains. See also: Alcohol and diet; Alcoholism; Alcohol withdrawal state.
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This report includes information on recognizing the symptoms of problem drinking, treatment techniques, coping with a loved one's drinking, and overcoming denial.
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Researchers at the Harvard Medical School have discovered that the herb kudzu can curb the urge to drink alcohol.
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It helps to understand why and when you drink if you are going to successfully reduce the amount of alcohol you consume.
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Alcohol is considered a drug because it depresses the central nervous system and can disrupt mental and motor skills, as well as damage internal organs when used excessively.
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As a woman, your body is much more sensitive to the effects of alcohol and more easily damaged than a man’s body. Because women have less water in their body than men, alcohol doesn't dilute as much and more of it gets absorbed into the blood. That’s why women suffer greater physical damage and often become more intoxicated than men when they drink identical amounts of alcohol.
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A Harvard Medical School physician answers your question about forsaking the potential health benefits of moderate alcohol consumption.
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Excessive drinking can cause potentially fatal conditions, not only high blood pressure, but also damage to the brain, heart or liver; diabetes and stroke.
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Is there any connection between rheumatoid arthritis and alcohol consumption? Does a prior history of waterborne hepatitis predispose a person to RA?
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Tips for avoiding the worst consequence of holiday overindulgence.Drinking fluids may help with the morning-after misery from getting drunk.
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If you drink, you most likely want to drink reasonably and responsibly. But what are the factors that can help you keep a check on your blood-alcohol content so you don't embarrass yourself or, worse, hurt yourself or others?
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Alcohol-dependent employees incur twice the health care costs of the average employee, are more likely to steal from their employers, are more likely to be involved in workplace accidents and are five times more likely to file worker’s compensation claims.
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Women ' s health differs from men ' s health, and not just with respect to reproduction. To understand and examine these differences appropriately, the variables of sex and gender are each relevant.
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Pregnancy is the condition of having a developing embryo or fetus in the body. The union of an egg (ovum) with sperm is called fertilization, or conception, and it is this union that produces the embryo.
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Detailed information on pregnancy and childbirth, including information on birth statistics, pregnancy planning, preconception care, prenatal care, pregnancy discomforts, pregnancy tests, pregnancy risks, pregnancy warning signs, labor and delivery, breas
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A great deal of public health resources is spent on pregnancy. It is clear that prenatal and neonatal health play a large role in determining the health of a population, and in fact, pregnancy outcomes are often used as an indicator of a nation ' s health.
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Detailed information on planning and preparing for a healthy pregnancy
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More doctors now suggest a pre-conception checkup and pre-conception counseling before getting serious about having a baby. Many problems that can affect a pregnancy can be avoided if addressed and dealt with before becoming pregnant.
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For most women, this is called the "golden trimester." You're starting to show. And you're starting to glow.
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Detailed information on what to do before (and during) your next pregnancy to reduce the chance for birth defects
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Detailed information on planning a pregnancy, including reducing the risk of pregnancy and delivery complications
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Nutrition during the preconception period, as well as throughout a pregnancy, has a major impact on pregnancy outcome. Among prepregnancy considerations, the prepregnancy Body Mass Index (BMI), folic acid status, and socioeconomic status are the most important.
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Detailed information on planning and preparing for a healthy pregnancy
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Detailed information on caring for the mother physically and emotionally following childbirth, including information on postpartum depression
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Your blood sugar will most likely return to normal after delivery. But gestational diabetes is a warning sign that you are at risk for getting diabetes later in life. You're also more likely to have gestational diabetes with your next pregnancy.
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A friend of mine is six months pregnant and says her baby moves all the time. I am also pregnant (five months) and rarely feel the baby -- maybe every other day. Is it abnormal to not feel the baby moving very often? I get regular check-ups and the baby is fine. At what stage does it become a concern when I don't feel the baby throughout the day?
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As your body changes during pregnancy, your back must work in new ways. This can be painful if your back isn’t prepared.
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Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your baby. Only you can decide whether you're ready to quit.
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Learning the proper ways to bend, lift, and carry objects may help relieve back strain. It will also help you protect your back after your baby is born. Remember, if you’re having trouble protecting your back, it’s okay to ask the people around you for help!
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Detailed information on preparing the family for the arrival of a newborn
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Detailed information on medication use during pregnancy
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Detailed information on post-term pregnancy, including causes, diagnosis, and management
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Detailed information and examples of non-teratogenic agents
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Did you know that standing, sitting, or lying in certain ways can lead to back pain? To ease pain, use positions that support your body comfortably.
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Following these guidelines can help keep you and your developing child healthy in the months to come.
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Detailed information on medication use during pregnancy
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Detailed information on blood types in pregnancy
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No one can say for sure that a medication is safe to use while you're pregnant. But, avoiding medicines may not be a good idea, either. It may be wiser to treat an illness than ignore it.
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My partner and I are now trying to become pregnant. I am a young African-American woman and have heard that the chemicals from hair relaxers or straighteners may be harmful to a healthy pregnancy. Is there any truth to this?
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After week 16, sleep and rest on your side instead of your back. Try different positions.
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During the early stages of pregnancy, can you drink coffee? My partner works nights and drinks a lot of coffee. Are there other, safer alternatives to the caffeine from coffee?
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I am in my second trimester and find it very difficult to find a comfortable sleeping position. I am most comfortable on my stomach. How harmful is it to sleep on your stomach in your second trimester?
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Does fibromyalgia pain increase when a woman is pregnant?
Robert Shmerling, M.D., is associate physician and clinical chief of rheumatology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and an associate professor in medicine at Harvard Medical School. He is an active teacher in the Internal Medicine Residency Program, serving as the Robinson Firm Chief. He is also a teacher in the Rheumatology Fellowship Program and has been a practicing rheumatologist for over 25 years.
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Exercise can help you keep your blood sugar within a normal range. That's because your body uses more blood sugar when you exercise.
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The healthy choices you make before and during pregnancy can have a lasting impact on you and your unborn child. Experts say one of the most important things a woman or couple can do is to plan for pregnancies.
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Some pregnancy changes are caused by hormones. Others are caused by the pressure and weigh of your growing baby.
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You may see signs that your body is getting ready for labor. Be patient. Within a few more weeks, your baby will be born.
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Detailed information on traveling while pregnancy or breastfeeding
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Detailed information on sex during pregnancy
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Detailed information for the pregnant mother, including information on hormones during pregnancy, weight gain during pregnancy, nutrition during pregnancy, exercise during pregnancy, work and pregnancy, sex during pregnancy, and sleeping positions during
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Detailed information on hypothyroidism and pregnancy, including symptoms and treatment and thyroid function screening
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I am 24 years old and pregnant with my second child. During my first pregnancy I developed toxemia during my last trimester. During labor I was put on oxygen and magnesium. What are my chances of having this reoccur with my second pregnancy?
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What medication can be taken when a yeast infection develops in the last month of pregnancy?
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I am a little over six months pregnant and already lactating. Is this normal?
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If birth defects can result when a pregnant women takes ACE inhibitors, what can happen to the fetus if the father takes ACE inhibitors?
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Is it safe to swim in a chlorinated pool during pregnancy?
Jeffrey Ecker, M.D. is an Associate Professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive biology at Harvard Medical School and a member of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Massachusetts General Hospital, where he practices maternal-fetal medicine.
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My first pregnancy ended at eight weeks in a miscarriage. When I get pregnant again, should I try to see my doctor early in the pregnancy as a precaution? Is there anything else I might do to prevent a miscarriage again?
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I am 23 weeks pregnant and I was just diagnosed with genital warts. Will this affect my baby during delivery?
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During pregnancy, what can be done to remove abnormal cervical cells?
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Is there a recommended period of time to wait before getting pregnant again after a C-section birth? If so, what are the risks associated with becoming pregnant again too soon?
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Can cancer be transferred from mother to child in the womb?
Jeffrey Ecker, M.D. is an Associate Professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive biology at Harvard Medical School and a member of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Massachusetts General Hospital, where he practices maternal-fetal medicine.
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Can I continue to take my asthma medication if I am pregnant?
Diana Post, M.D., is an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and a member of the Department of Medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital.
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Antidepressants, once considered safe during pregnancy, may cause birth defects. Women are warned of the effects and given alternatives.
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Your health can affect your baby’s growth. Here are some ways to stay healthy.
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From conception (fertilization) until after the birth of your child, you and your baby will change every day. To help you understand what is happening, we’ve outlined how pregnancy begins and some of the changes you may notice.
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The weight you gain now is not just extra fat. It is also the weight of your baby. And it is the increased blood and fluids to support the baby.
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From conception until after the birth of your child, you and your baby will change every day.
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Pregnant women in their second or third trimester during influenza season should be immunized.
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A physical exam and lab tests will show if there are any special concerns. Your health care provider can then plan the care that will help prevent problems later.
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