The information in this article is derived from information published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
Is swine flu more dangerous for pregnant women?
The swine flu virus now spreading in Mexico, the United States, and elsewhere is so new that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) doesn’t have a lot of data yet. The agency says it doesn’t have enough even to determine for sure who is at higher risk for complications from the illness.
In 1988, however, a previously healthy pregnant woman died after infection with another type of swine influenza virus. Moms-to-be are also known to be at higher risk for complications for the types of flu that arrive every year during “flu season” (called “seasonal flu”), and they’ve been more prone to complications during previous pandemics. So, the CDC says, it’s reasonable to assume that pregnant women are also at higher risk for complications from this swine flu.
What sorts of complications can happen?
Keep in mind that catching the flu when you’re pregnant doesn’t mean you or your baby is in danger. Many moms-to-be who get the flu have no complications. But statistically, pregnant women are more likely to develop a severe case of the flu. During pregnancy, the illness can get bad very quickly and be complicated by infections such as pneumonia or by fetal distress.
Evidence that influenza can be more severe during pregnancy comes from observations during previous pandemics and from studies of pregnant women who come down with seasonal flu. For example, higher rates of flu-related deaths, miscarriage, and premature birth were reported for pregnant women during the pandemics of 1918–1919 and 1957–1958.
How can I avoid catching swine flu?
Unfortunately, there’s no vaccine against swine flu, but good-hygiene measures can help you stay well. For more details, click on “How can we avoid getting infected?” at the top of our article, “Swine Flu and Your Child.”
What symptoms should I watch for?
For a description of telltale swine flu symptoms, click on “How does swine flu affect humans?” at the top of our article, “Swine Flu and Your Child.”
What should I do if I think I might have swine flu?
Call your doctor immediately. The CDC recommends that pregnant women who might have swine flu be tested for the virus. If it’s confirmed, you’ll consult with your doctor to determine next steps and the best course of treatment.
How is swine flu treated in pregnant women?
Two antiviral medications, zanamivir and oseltamivir, seem to be effective against the swine flu virus. The CDC recommends that pregnant women who have “confirmed, probable or suspected swine influenza A (H1N1) infection” take one of those drugs.
Treatment with antiviral drugs should be started as soon as possible after symptoms appear, ideally within 48 hours. However, some studies on seasonal flu have shown benefits even if treatment is started more than 48 hours after symptoms begin.
Pregnant women should know that these are “category C” drugs. This means that no clinical studies have been done to determine whether they’re safe for pregnant women. Moms-to-be have taken oseltamivir and zanamivir to prevent or treat flu in the past, before swine flu came along, and no bad effects were reported for them or their babies. But because the effects have not been studied, the CDC says, “Oseltamivir or zanamivir should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the embryo or fetus.”
The CDC goes on to say that in this case, the benefits probably do outweigh the risks. “Pregnant women might be at higher risk for severe complications from swine influenza, and the benefits of treatment … with zanamivir or oseltamivir likely outweigh the theoretical risks of antiviral use.” The agency also cautions that its recommendations for use of antivirals by pregnant women might change as additional information on the benefits and risks for pregnant women becomes available.
What if I’ve been exposed to swine flu?
The CDC recommends that pregnant women in close contact with people who have suspected, probable, or confirmed cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) receive antiviral drugs as a preventive measure.
