Information for High Risk Groups & Pregnant Women
Information for High Risk Groups & Pregnant Women
What should a pregnant woman do if she thinks she may have Pandemic (H1N1) 2009?
Anyone who is pregnant needs to have an urgent assessment by their doctor.
- Contact your GP by phone and follow his or her instructions.
- Discourage any visitors
- Take medicines such as paracetamol to reduce the symptoms
- Drink plenty of fluids
- Most people with flu will recover within a few days.
- Stay at home for up to 7 days or until you fully recover whichever is the longer
If you need to go to a doctor’s office or to an emergency room, please telephone before you go and tell them that you think you might have Pandemic (H1N1) 2009. When you are there cover your mouth and nose with a facemask or a cloth; make yourself known to staff. Do not sit in the waiting area with other patients.
When should a pregnant woman get emergency medical care?
If you have any of these signs, contact your doctor right away:
- Shortness of breath at rest or while doing very little
- Painful or difficult breathing
- Coughing up bloody sputum
- Drowsiness, disorientation or confusion
- Sudden dizziness
- Severe or persistent vomiting
- Decreased or no movement of your baby
- Fever for 4-5 days and not starting to get better (or getting worse)
- Starting to feel better then developing high fever and feeling unwell again
How else should pregnant women prepare for the possibility of spread of Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus?
Certain pregnant women are at higher risk of complications from flu – these include women with chronic heart disease, chronic lung disease, diabetes, liver and kidney disease, receiving cancer treatment and whose immune system is impaired due to disease or treatment (immunocompromised).
If you are one of these women you should consult your doctor and make sure all your vaccinations are up-to-date. Seasonal influenza vaccine should be used as advised and when available. The seasonal influenza vaccine is considered very safe in pregnancy.
What if I get this new virus and I am pregnant?
We do know that pregnant women are more likely to get sick than others and have more serious problems with seasonal flu. These problems may include early labour or severe pneumonia. We don’t know if this virus will do the same, but it should be taken very seriously.
Can I take antivirals if I am pregnant?
Your doctor will decide if you need antiviral drugs. There is little information about the effect of antiviral drugs in pregnant women or their babies, but no serious side effects have been reported.
Is it ok to breastfeed my baby if I am sick with this virus?
A mother’s milk is made to fight diseases in her baby. This is really important in young babies when their immune system is still growing.
- Do not stop breastfeeding if you are ill. Breastfeed early and often. This will help protect your baby from infection.
- Be careful not to cough or sneeze in the baby’s face.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water.
- Your doctor might ask you to wear a mask to keep from spreading this new virus to your baby.
- If you are too sick to breastfeed, pump if possible and have someone give the expressed milk to your baby.
Is it OK to take antivirals while breastfeeding?
There is little information about the effect of antiviral drugs on breastfed babies, but no serious side effects have been reported. Your doctor will decide whether antivirals are right for you.
What can I do to help prevent the spread of flu?
The new flu virus appears to be highly contagious and can spread quickly from person to person through tiny drops in coughs and sneezes. If you are close to a person with flu you can breathe them in and become infected. Droplets can also be passed from surfaces like door handles and hand rails, so if you are ill, or think you might be:
- Stay at home
- Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing with paper tissue if possible – the virus spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes
- Use a tissue only once and dispose of it quickly and carefully – bag and bin it
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water
- Wash hard surfaces such as kitchen worktops, door handles, etc. with a normal household cleaner as the virus can live on these surfaces
- Avoid large crowds of people whenever possible
- Make sure to tell your children and others to follow this advice
Additional Information
Telephone
Further Information is available from the HSE 24 hr Flu Information Line Freephone 1800 94 11 00. The Flu Information Line is available 24 hours a day and is your primary source of information on Pandemic (H1N1) 2009.
Websites
The HSE’s Website will be kept updated every day with latest information and advice. Check it often.
Health Service Executive
http://www.hse.ie
Department of Health and Children
http://www.dohc.ie
Information for Health Professionals will be on
http://www.hpsc.ie
Click here to view the HSE's Health Protection Surveillance Centre's Leaflet on Influenza (Flu) 2010-11 (pdf , 79 kbs)
