- Symptoms of H1N1 in pregnancy
- Warning signs to go to the doctor
- How is H1N1 Flu Treatment in Pregnancy
- How to protect yourself from H1N1 flu
- H1N1 after delivery
The H1N1 influenza increases the risk of pneumonia and respiratory failure, which can cause premature birth or death in pregnancy, so pregnant women should take extra care with the virus prevention measures and get the vaccine after the 3rd month of pregnancy.
The vaccine reduces the risk of contamination and mitigates your symptoms, but does not prevent the infection from occurring. Therefore, pregnant women who have been vaccinated when experiencing flu symptoms such as fever, cough and sore throat should notify their doctor for an immediate evaluation.
Symptoms of H1N1 in pregnancy
The symptoms are the same as common flu, but more intense, and include high fever, headache, sore throat, malaise and some women report vomiting and diarrhea. Coughs and body aches are also often present.
To differentiate these symptoms from those that occur in the common flu, one must take into account the time of outbreaks or epidemics, if those close to you are also infected with this virus and also the intensity of the symptoms, which in H1N1 are much more intense and make it more difficult daily tasks, being difficult to work or study, requiring absolute rest.
Warning signs to go to the doctor
Warning signs are:
- Difficulty breathing; Feeling of shortness of breath; Phlegm with traces of blood; Purple fingertips or bluish lips; Decreased fetal movements.
If you experience difficulty breathing and the fever does not subside with the use of medications such as Paracetamol, you should go to the hospital immediately. The doctor may order blood tests, lung x-rays and ultrasound to check for pneumonia or other respiratory complications, and whether the baby is well.
How is H1N1 Flu Treatment in Pregnancy
The treatment is exactly the same as outside, with the use of medicines like Tamiflu, which must be indicated by the obstetrician after the risk / benefit assessment.
It is very important that the pregnant woman see a doctor or go to the health center within the first 48 hours of the onset of symptoms, as it is scientifically proven that Tamiflu is most effective when it is taken at the first signs of the H1N1 flu.
Because they have an increased risk of preterm delivery, pregnant women should go to the hospital and if they are in late pregnancy, they may have to remain hospitalized until the disease is cured.
See how food can help in the video below.
How to protect yourself from H1N1 flu
To prevent the flu it is recommended to wash your hands constantly, avoid public places with crowds of people like cinemas and shopping malls, and keep away from individuals with signs and symptoms of flu or cold. However, the best way to prevent it is to get the vaccine at health centers.
H1N1 after delivery
If the woman is infected with the H1N1 flu virus at the end of pregnancy or during the postpartum period, in the first 6 months of the baby's life, one must avoid being too close to the baby so that he is not contaminated, because this disease it is more severe when it affects babies up to 6 months of age, who cannot be treated with Tamiflu and who cannot be vaccinated.
Thus, the woman can continue breastfeeding, because there is no evidence that the virus passes through breast milk, however, whenever she is close to the baby or breastfeeding it is safer that the woman always wear a surgical mask that is bought in pharmacies to cover the nose and mouth, or express your milk with a breast pump for someone else to give to the baby.
