The pressure to manufacture and distribute the H1N1 vaccine before the
H1N1 (swine) influenza virus begins its autumn spread is ongoing, but so far it seems that
the virus may be winning. The race, though, is far from over, but in more than
40 states, the number of people being diagnosed clinically with the "swine" flu
is growing.
"Clinically" is the key word, since testing for the influenza virus is no
longer recommended. Instead, health care practitioners are using history as the
guide to whether H1N1 is the likely diagnosis. The most frequent symptoms are
fever, cough, shortness of breath, and fatigue. These are pretty non-specific
complaints, but in today's setting of widespread influenza it is enough to be
relatively certain that influenza is the cause? Less commonly, there may be
chills, muscle aches, runny nose, sore throat, and headache. Interestingly, H1N1
also may present with vomiting and
diarrhea, two symptoms that tend not to be
associated with the usual influenza pattern.
Pregnancy and H1N1 influenza (swine flu) introduction
These questions and answers have been updated to include new information on
2009 H1N1 flu in pregnant women. Both seasonal and 2009 H1N1 flu viruses will
circulate during the 2009-2010 flu season. A pregnant woman who thinks she has
the flu should call her doctor right away to see if treatment with an antiviral
medicine is needed. The medicine is most helpful if it is started soon after the
pregnant woman becomes sick. The latest advice for getting seasonal and 2009
H1N1 vaccines during pregnancy is also included.
What if I am pregnant and I get 2009 H1N1?
Call your doctor right away if you have
flu symptoms or if you have close
contact with someone who has the flu. Pregnant women who get sick with 2009 H1N1
can have serious health problems. They can get sicker than other people who get
2009 H1N1 flu. Some pregnant women sick with
2009 H1N1 have had
early labor and
severe pneumonia. Some have died. If you are pregnant and have symptoms of the
flu, take it very seriously. Call your doctor right away for advice.
What can I do to protect myself, my baby and my family?
Getting a flu shot is the single best way to protect against the flu. Talk
with your doctor about getting a seasonal flu shot and the 2009 H1N1 flu shot.
You will need both flu shots this year to be fully protected against flu. You
should get both shots as soon as they are available to protect you and your
baby. The seasonal flu shot has been shown to protect both the mother and her
baby (up to 6 months old) from flu-like illness.
Talk with your doctor right away if you have close contact with someone who
has 2009 H1N1 flu. You might need to take medicine to reduce your chances of
getting the flu. Your doctor may prescribe
Tamiflu® or
Relenza® to help prevent
2009 H1N1 flu. To prevent flu, you would take a lower dose of the antiviral
medicine for 10 days.
Is it safe for pregnant women to get a flu shot?
The seasonal flu shot has been given to millions of pregnant women over many
years. Flu shots have not been shown to cause harm to pregnant women or their
babies. The 2009 H1N1 flu shot is made in the same way and in the same places as
the seasonal flu shot. It is very important for pregnant women to get both the
seasonal flu shot and the 2009 H1N1 flu shot.
Who else should get a flu shot?
Anybody who will be taking care of babies younger than 6 months of age should
get a seasonal flu shot and a 2009 H1N1 flu shot to protect against the flu.
This includes you and any family members or other people who will be caring for
your baby for the first 6 months of his or her life.
What else can I do?
Take these everyday steps to help prevent the spread of germs and protect
your health and the health of your family:
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, or sneeze
into your sleeve. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
Wash your hands often with soap and warm water, especially after you cough or
sneeze. If soap and water are not available, an alcohol-based hand rub can be
used.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
If there is 2009 H1N1 flu in your community, pay extra attention to your body
and how you are feeling. If you think you have the flu, call your doctor or
clinic right away.
If you are pregnant and you live with or have close contact with someone who
has 2009 H1N1 flu, talk with your doctor about medicines to prevent flu.
Have a plan for someone else to take care of a sick family member.
Stock up on household, health, and emergency supplies, such as
acetaminophen
(Tylenol®), water, and non-perishable foods.
There are many symptoms involved in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy. The first early pregnancy symptom is typically a missed period, but others include breast swelling and tenderness, nausea and sometimes vomiting, fatigue and bloating. Second trimester symptoms include backache, weight gain, itching, and possible stretch marks. Third trimester symptoms are additional weight gain, heartburn, hemorrhoids, swelling of the ankles, fingers, and face, breast tenderness, and trouble sleeping. Read more to learn about recommended procedures and tests for each stage of a healthy pregnancy.
Pregnancy symptoms vary from woman to woman. There are some symptoms that are more frequent in some women. These symptoms include a missed period, nausea, vomiting, bloating, weight gain, headaches, food cravings, and mood changes.
Influenza (flu) is a respiratory illness caused by a virus. Flu symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, headache, fatigue, and muscle aches. The flu may be prevented with an annual influenza vaccination.
Infertility is the diminished ability to conceive a child. The primary cause of infertility in men is a sperm disorder. In women, the primary cause of infertility is an ovulation disorder. Most forms of infertility can be treated. Conventional infertility therapies include drugs or surgery.
Novel H1N1 influenza A virus infection (swine flu) is an infection that generally is transferred from an infected pig to a human, however there have been reported cases where infection has occured with no contact with infected pigs. Symptoms of swine flu are "flu-like" and include fever, cough, and sore throat. Treatment is generally with the antibiotics oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or zanamivir (Relenza).
Pregnancy planning is important to help prevent exposure of the mother and fetus to potentially harmful medications and substances during the early days, and throughout the pregnancy. Nutritional planning, prevention of birth defects, conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and kidney disease need careful monitoring. Gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and pregnancy induced hypertension are conditions that may arise during pregnancy. Immunizations, inherited disorders, exercise, air travel, intercourse, and birth control are important factors to consider when planning a pregnancy.
Pregnancy can bring challenges like weight gain, stretch marks, varicose veins, heartburn, constipation, hemorrhoids, problems sleeping, and wondering if it is safe to have sex while pregnant. Learn how to manage and move through these challenges during pregnancy.
Infertility means not being able to get pregnant after one year of trying. Or, six months, if a woman is 35 or older. Women who can get pregnant but are unable to stay pregnant may also be infertile.
Pregnancy is the result of a process that has many steps. To get pregnant:
A woman must release an egg from one of her ovaries (ovulation).
The egg must
go through a Fallopian tube toward the
uterus (womb).
A man's sperm must join
with (fertilize) the egg along the way.
The fertilized egg must attach to the
inside of the uterus (implantation).
Infertility can happen if there are problems with any of these steps.
Is infertility a common problem?
Yes. About 10 percent of women (6.1 million) in the United States ages 15-44 have difficulty getting pregnant or staying pregnant, according to the Centers for Diseas...
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