Swine Flu & Pregnancy

Pregnant women are in a risk group for developing complications of Swine Flu, should catching the virus. However, as long as symptoms are being monitored carefully and any irregularity is reported to a medical authority, it is likely that even if a pregnant woman does catch the virus, it will be a mild illness and will be expected to make an uncomplicated recovery.

MyHealthPortal new Swine Flu service will assist its subscribers with prevention efforts and providing complimentary information about Swine Flu.

Our medical team is also here to advice regarding any medical concern with 24/7 online support through various means of communication methods:

• Phone: 020-7486-2300
• SMS: +44 (0)-7797-805-817
• Mail: medicalteam@myhealthportal.co.uk
• Via the MediQuest Box at www.myhealthportal.co.uk

Of course being pregnant raises many fears and worries to the well being of both the mother and baby. Contacting MyHealthPortal Swine Flu service can offer reassurance and self empowerment regarding prevention of Swine Flu.

1. The risk of getting Swine Flu wiliest pregnant

It known that during pregnancy, the immune system is naturally more suppressed than normally. The reason is that the foetus is considered as a foreign body that might otherwise be rejected.

This makes pregnant women more susceptible to all infections, including seasonal and swine flu.This means that pregnant women are more sensitive to viral infections, and especially to Swine Flu.

This suppression of the immune system can also enable Swine Flu to cause complications for pregnant women who have the virus. Although most pregnant women, providing the virus reveled in an early stage, will experience  only mild symptoms, it is essential for all pregnant women, especially in their second and third trimester, to

Possible complications include:

-         Pneumonia (an infection of the lungs),

-         difficulty breathing

-         dehydration

One must keep in mind that most pregnant women will have only mild symptoms and recover within a week. However, there is evidence from previous flu pandemics that pregnant women are more likely to develop these kind of complications.

It must be taken under consideration that there is a small chance that these complications will lead to premature labour or even is the worse cases to miscarriage. There is not yet enough information to know precisely how likely these birth risks are, so the best way to protect yourself is to constantly monitor your symptoms.

2. Swine Flu symptoms for pregnant women

The symptoms of Swine Flu in pregnant women are usually similar to those of seasonal (regular) flu. Typical symptoms are a fever and a cough, but you may also have:

• Tiredness 
• Headache
• Aching Muscles
• Runny Nose
• Sore Throat
• Nausea
• Diarrhoea

These are more likely to happen during the second and third trimester.

3. What are the treatments?

The recommended treatment for pregnant women is the antiviral Relenza, which is inhaled using a disk shaped inhaler. This is recommended for pregnant women because it easily reaches the throat and lungs and does not reach the blood or placenta, hence do not harm the fetus. It is unlikely that Relenza will affect the pregnancy.

However, in more sever cases of Swine Flu, under consideration of the treating doctor, there is a chance pregnant women will be goven Tamiflu in order to control the symptoms and prevent further deteriorating.

Side effects:

Although there are no reports on sever side effects form Relenze, it was reported that some of those who were treated by this antiviral suffered from wheezing and breathing troubles, so Relenze is not recommended for people who have asthma or COPD.

Amongst common side effect:

·        headaches

 ·        diarrhoea

·        nausea

·        vomiting

For more information about treatments and side effects – click here

Will pregnant women get vaccination?

The World Health Organisation has stated that pregnant women should be prioritised to receive the swine flu vaccines when these are available. It is now believed that the vaccine will be available in the UK as of October. It is yet known weather the vaccine will be recommended for all pregnant women or for specific stages of the pregnancy. Currently, in the UK, pregnant women are advised to be immunised against the seasonal flu. The recommendation to immunise pregnant women from swine flu is an extension of this principle.

In order to keep informed for developments log-on to MyHealthPortal Swine Flu service page or call our medical team through a variety of communication methods:

·                    Phone: 020-7486-2300

·                    SMS: +44 (0)-7797-805-817

·                    Mail: medicalteam@myhealthportal.co.uk

·                    Via the MediQuest Box at www.myhealthportal.co.uk

4. Special precautions and guidelines for pregnant women take

Although no one is a 100% immune from catching Swine Flu, it is highly important that pregnant women will take special precautions in order to reduce the risk of getting infected down to the minimum.

Most pregnant women continue the daily routine, and there is no need to interrupt regular activities, with few exceptions:

• Avoid unnecessary travel and crowds where possible.
• Be strict to follow general hygiene advice:
  • Use tissues to cover your nose & mouth when sneezing
  • Wash your hands with soap and warm water
  • Regularly clean hard surfaces, such as door handles thoroughly using a normal cleaning product
• As much as possible, avoid contact with people who confirmed to have swine flu, and If you had been in contact with someone who has swine flu, make sure to contact your doctor in order to receive an antiviral medication as a precaution.
• Unless you have swine flu, continue to attend all your antenatal appointments to monitor your pregnancy. 
  
  
  
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