Swine flu and pregnancy
If you’re pregnant, you may have been wondering, “What happens if I get the swine flu? Will it hurt my baby? How dangerous would it be for me?”
If you do get swine flu, the illness may be mild. But for some women, swine flu will progress rapidly, and symptoms will be severe.
Complications of any flu, such as pneumonia and dehydration, can be serious and even fatal. So be on the watch for any symptoms. Treatment can help.
Symptoms of swine flu include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue, diarrhea and vomiting.
If you are pregnant and have flu-like symptoms, contact your health care provider. If your symptoms are severe, talk with your provider about the benefits and risks of taking an antiviral drug, such as Tamiflu. Consider the seriousness of your illness as you decide about medication.
High fever may be especially dangerous to the fetus. Acetaminophen appears to be the best way to treat fever during pregnancy.
For more info on swine flu, visit the Web site of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Tags: acetaminophen, antiviral, complication, dehydration, fever, pneumonia, Pregnancy, pregnant, risk, swine flu