Pregnant Women And Swine Flu

The health department has advised more than once that pregnant women should avoid crowds and unnecessary travel to reduce the risk of catching swine flu disease. As the health department reissued its advice to pregnant women, the public health minister stressed that while they are at increased risk from any type of flu, swine flu to date has been a generally mild condition. But, keep in mind, it has been noted that of pregnant women who contract the swine flu, they have a much higher rate of hospitalization - about four times more than the general population. In fact, the first US death attributed to the swine flu epidemic was a 33-year-old pregnant woman from Texas. It has been recently advised for a woman having any preexisting medical condition to consult her GP before seeking to conceive.

Does this mean pregnant women are more susceptible to the pandemic swine flu that is sweeping the world? The health department said plans to make a priority of certain groups when a swine flu vaccine becomes available are still being drawn up. Pregnant women were among the prime categories being considered. So far, swine flu has not proven to be much more dangerous than the seasonal influenza, and it’s not clear whether or not pregnant women are more vulnerable to catch swine flu than other people, though vigorous testing and research continues. But in general, flu poses added risks for pregnant women according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Why does pregnancy put women at special flu risk? It is well documented that pregnancy causes changes to women’s respiratory and immune systems, which in turn, may make it more difficult for them to fight off an influenza infection. Because of this, the WHO recently stated that pregnant women may be at increased risk for severe disease especially during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Some European countries have suggested that women should reconsider pregnancy until after what is now being called the swine flu pandemic fright is over. Others disagree taking things that far, but all agree that the health risks to pregnant women are definitely significant, and they should be put at the top of the list when deciding who should get the first vaccines when they become available. Owing to the well-known fact that pregnancy weakens a woman’s immune system, we believe that she becomes more likely to suffer pneumonia when she catches the flu. In earlier flu pandemics, infection also added to the risk of premature births.

With all of this information at hand, it is safe to say that pregnant women definitely seem to be at more risk of contacting swine flu. Women, who are pregnant or are thinking of becoming one, should be aware of the facts and ensure that once the swine flu vaccine is available, they must consult their physician and consider getting the vaccine. With 6% of all recorded US deaths attributed to the swine flu epidemic being associated with pregnant women, it is something to be taken seriously. The fact that many of these women were previously in good health suggests that the swine flu epidemic could certainly be held accountable.