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DOH reissues swine flu guidelines for expectant mothers
by Camilla Abad - July 20, 2009 - comments
The DOH advises pregnant women to continue practicing proper hand washing, avoiding crowded places and if possible to limit traveling
United Kingdom, July 20: The Department of Health (DOH) has reissued a set of swine flu guidelines for expectant mothers and young children, stressing out that they may be more susceptible to the disease.
The said guidelines were given out after concerns over the effects of virus in pregnant women. Ruptara Miah, a 39-year-old woman with swine flu, died after giving birth at the Whipps Cross Hospital in London on July 13. Her child is currently in intensive care.
Another mortality caused by the virus is that of a six-month-old child also from London.
Increased risk for pregnant women
The guidelines were based on the suggestions of the Royal College of Midwives and were published on the National Health Service (NHS) website on Sunday.
According to the website, pregnant women who are infected by the swine flu virus usually manifest mild symptoms and get better within a week. However, health experts also explained that pregnant women as well as young children are more susceptible to disease which may lead to complications such as pneumonia and dehydration.
Belinda Phipps, chief executive of the National Childbirth Trust (NCT) explained , "If you are pregnant, you are slightly more susceptible to all infections. One of them is swine flu. It is important that pregnant women know that - and particularly other members of the population know that - so that they behave responsibly and if they are sick they don't go and put themselves close to a pregnant woman."
Being safe
The DOH advises pregnant women to continue practicing proper hand washing, avoiding crowded places and if possible to limit traveling. They also advise women to plan their pregnancy though not necessarily to avoid getting pregnant.
A spokesperson for the DOH stated, "Mums-to-be are more vulnerable to any type of flu. It is particularly important that anyone who has existing health problems and is thinking about starting a family should talk to their GP first, as they normally would."
Expectant mothers who contract swine flu are given Relenza, an inhaled antiviral drug which does not cross the placental barrier keeping the fetus safe. For severe cases, physicians may prescribe them with Tamiflu.