Swine Flu – Pregnant Women Should Take Care
Tips for Expectant Mothers at High Risk of H1N1 Flu Infection
Sep 7, 2009
The US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) warns that pregnant women are in the high risk group for infection with H1N1 swine flu, and recommends they should be vaccinated as soon as the vaccine, currently under development in America and Australia, is available in the next few months.
“We don’t want pregnant women to have undue concern about this virus, but we do want them to take the necessary precautions, just like they would do for any flu season,” said Dr Keith Reeves, Director of Obstetrics/Gynecology at Methodist Hospital Corporation, Houston, Texas. “They should be vaccinated.”
Dr Reeves said anti-viral drugs like Tamiflu have proven to be safe for pregnant women.
“The benefits far outweigh the risks, and we know for a fact that these drugs work better when started within two days of the first flu symptoms,” he said.
The NSW Department of Health, a leading Australian health authority, has issued advice to expectant mothers on avoiding both seasonal flu and H1N1 flu and has a website dedicated to swine flu.
“Influenza can be bad for both you and for your baby, so it's important to get treatment early”, the advice reads. “Anti-influenza medicine oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or zanamavir (Relenza) reduces the severity of influenza.”
These medicines are most important for women in the second or third trimesters because that's when pregnant women get the sickest, but can also help in the first trimester, especially if there are other risk factors for severe disease, like lung disease, asthma, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, immuno-suppression.
Tips to Keep Safe from Flu in Pregnancy
NSW Health gives the following tips to pregnant women:
- Wash your hands with soap and running water after touching another person who might have the flu or touching another person's tissues. Alcohol based hand rub can also be used to clean your hands but you don't need to use both.
- Get immunised against influenza if you will be in your 2nd or 3rd trimester of pregnancy during winter. Influenza vaccine is recommended and is safe in pregnancy even in the first trimester of pregnancy.
- Keep away from people who are coughing or sneezing.
- Ask people who are sick to keep away from you and remind them to cover their mouth when they cough or sneeze and wash their hands regularly.
- Avoid large, crowded gatherings during influenza season.
- Do the things you normally do. You do not need to wear a mask to avoid the flu.
If You Have Flu Symptoms
- Contact your doctor right away.
- If your doctor thinks you have the flu, start treatment with anti-influenza medicine immediately to stop you getting very sick.
- Take paracetamol to reduce the fever. The recommended dose is 2 x 500mg tablets every 4-6 hours, but no more than 8 tablets in a 24 hour period.
- Take anti-influenza medicine oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or zanamavir (Relenza) to reduces the severity of influenza
- Drink plenty of fluids.
- Ask your doctor to check on your baby.
Other People at Risk of Swine Flu Infection
The CDC reports that other high-risk groups that will likely be on the list for the new vaccine include:
- People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age
- Health care and emergency services personnel
- People aged between 6 months through 24 years
- People aged from 25 to 64 years who have chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems.
In total, these groups comprise nearly half the population of the United States. The CDC said that once high-risk patients have been vaccinated, vaccine distribution will be expanded to everyone, including adults over 65.
You might also like to read Swine Flu Symptoms and What to Do About Them and What to Do if You Think Your Child has Swine Flu
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