(09-15-2009, 02:34 PM)ErinIsNice Wrote: Pregnant women rarely die of seasonal flu. A huge percentage of the H1N1 deaths so far in the US and around the world have been pregnant women.
For example, there have been so far 17 deaths in the Dominican Republic, and 11 were pregnant.
http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/index.php
More info from FluTrackers (bolded section in original):
"An excess of influenza-associated deaths among pregnant women were reported during the pandemics of 1918–1919 and 1957–1958. Adverse pregnancy outcomes have been reported following previous influenza pandemics, with increased rates of spontaneous abortion and preterm birth reported, especially among women with pneumonia. Case reports and several epidemiologic studies conducted during interpandemic periods also indicate that pregnancy increases the risk for influenza complications for the mother and might increase the risk for adverse perinatal outcomes or delivery complications."
"Clinical presentation
Pregnant women with novel influenza A (H1N1) virus infection would be expected to present with typical acute respiratory influenza-like illness (e.g., cough, sore throat, rhinorrhea) and fever. Other symptoms can include body aches, headache, fatigue, vomiting and diarrhea. Many pregnant women will go on to have a typical course of uncomplicated influenza. However, for some pregnant women, illness might progress rapidly, and might be complicated by secondary bacterial infections including pneumonia. Fetal distress associated with severe maternal illness can occur. Case reports of adverse pregnancy outcomes and maternal deaths have been associated with severe illness. Ideally, pregnant women who have suspected novel influenza A (H1N1) virus infection should be tested for influenza.
However, treatment should not be delayed pending results of testing and treatment should not be withheld in the absence of testing. This is because antiviral treatment is most effective when started as early as possible after the onset of symptoms (i.e. within the first 2 days). Testing is not available in many instances and, when available, results of novel H1N1 testing often take several days. Clinicians should be aware of circulation of H1N1 in their area and not wait for test results to initiate influenza treatment in women who have symptoms consistent with influenza illness."
Everyone, pregnant or not, has to decide for herself or himself whether or not to be vaccinated for H1N1, just as for seasonal flu. Your physician can only advise you.
The H1N1 flu, in fatal cases, is associated with multiple organ failure and it's not killing the people who usually die with seasonal flu -- those over 65 and those under 5. It's killing people between 5 and 65, many of them in good health prior to getting the H1N1 flu. This is what the "Spanish" flu did back in 1918.
That's part of the concern about H1N1; when people over 65 die, people don't see it as tragic, but when people in their teens, twenties, and thirties die, they do. It's especially tragic if they're pregnant women dying, because it's two people who shouldn't be dying at their age.
I know I will get a seasonal flu shot and, if my doctor recommends it, an H1N1 shot. I had the swine flu shot in 1975 with no ill effects; I've never had ill effects from a flu shot and neither has my husband. Of course this could be our unlucky year and YMMV. I suggest a lot of prayer whether you get a shot or not.
I'll also get a pneumonia shot if I'm due for one this year. My husband will get the same shots. We have had true influenza twice since we married and after the second time, we said "Never again!" and started getting a flu shot every year. I
don't know what I'd do if I were pregnant and my sympathies are with all who have to make that decision.
IF we have a pandemic, the H1N1 virus will come back stronger this fall and winter and infect far more people than it has so far. This was the pattern with the "Spanish" flu of 1918 -- relatively mild in spring and summer, coming back hard in the fall. Will it happen again? Nobody knows.
Whether you get the shot or not, consider reading up on preparation to live through a pandemic that shuts down stores and perhaps most of our infrastructure. Waiting to see if there will be a pandemic is like waiting to see if a hurricane will hit where you live, you can try to get ready for the worst case scenario while you wait.
As a Girl Scout, I learned "Be Prepared." You wouldn't believe what I have in my purse. :laughing:
![[-]](https://www.fisheaters.com/forums/images/fisheaters/collapse.png)
