Pandemic H1N1 2009 (swine flu) and pregnancy

Lim, Boon H.; Mahmood, Tahir A.

doi:10.1016/j.ogrm.2010.01.005

« Previous Next »Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine
Volume 20, Issue 4 , Pages 101-106, April 2010

Pandemic H1N1 2009 (swine flu) and pregnancy

Boon H Lim MBBS FRANZCOG FRCOG is a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Hinchingbrooke Healthcare NHS Trust, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, UK and is Chair of the Working Group on Pandemic Flu at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, London, UK. No Competing/conflicts of interest to declare

Tahir A Mahmood MD FRCOG is a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Forth Park Hospital, Kirkcaldy, Fife, UK and is Vice President (Standards) at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, London, UK. No Competing/conflicts of interest to declare

Abstract

H1N1 pandemic influenza is a novel strain of the influenza A virus. It is widely known as swine flu. Most people affected by the virus, including pregnant women, suffer a mild viral illness, and make a full recovery. The median duration of illness is around seven days. This influenza typically affects the younger age group i.e. from the ages of 5–65 years but the age groups of below 5 years and above 65 are particularly prone to severe complications. Pregnant women, because of their altered immunity and physiological adaptations, are at higher risk of developing pulmonary complications, especially in the third trimester. Antiviral drugs are effective against the virus and are not contraindicated in pregnancy and breastfeeding. Vaccines have now been developed and are offered to pregnant women. Safety issues have been examined by regulatory authorities and the vaccines have been determined to be safe for administration in all trimesters of pregnancy.

Keywords: antiviral drugs, pandemic H1N1 influenza, pregnancy, swine flu, vaccines