Swine Flu and Pregnancy

Swine flu (H1N1 virus) has killed 28 pregnant women in the U.S. raising the level of concern among obstetricians and CDC investigators.  The CDC has reported an early start of the flu season and California is one of 27 states reporting widespread flu activity.  Doctors throughout the country are bracing for an exceptional flu season and recommend people start taking precautions.

Fortunately, there’s a lot pregnant women can do.  Even though pregnant women are advised to avoid many medications, the flu drug Tamiflu is safe for pregnant women — and should be given to them at the first sign of flu symptoms.  Antiviral medicine can be a very important treatment for pregnant women who have respiratory symptoms or influenza-like illness.  The H1N1 swine flu vaccine and the seasonal flu vaccine — the kinds that are given as a shot, not the kind given as a nasal spray — are safe for use during pregnancy. Talk with your doctor.

– Information provided by the CDC