Pregnant Women and Swine Flu
Mariel Galarza
The University of Texas at El Paso
The swine flu is not the same as getting a seasonal flu, for the same reason many pregnant women are suggested to get the flu shot. Pregnant women are at a higher risk of getting the swine flu because their immune system is weak that they need the vaccination to prevent them from going through a serious health issue. Although doctors recommend pregnant women to get the flu shot many of them oppose on getting it because they think it might harm their baby.
Symptoms for the swine flu are similar to those of the regular flu, like: fever, sore throat, muscle pain, coughing. Now the swine flu symptoms for pigs are a bit different, “Among pigs, swine flu symptoms include sudden onset of fever, depression, coughing, sneezing, breathing difficulties, redness or inflammation of the eye, going off feed, and discharge from the nose or eyes.” (Kampel, 2009, para. #3) The symptoms may vary within the different age groups for example babies, teenagers and adults, but these are the most common. Once someone may seem to have the swine flu they should be taken to the hospital so they can start being treated.
Pregnant women who get the flu shot tend to get the flu less often compared to the women that do not get the flu shot and same thing applies to the babies that are born to mother’s that have gotten the flu shot they will get the flu less often. Not only is the H1N1 flu shot recommended to pregnant women but also the seasonal shot this way the mother can be protected from both types of flu’s, they should not be given at the same time.
Another important fact for mother’s that do decide to get vaccinated it is recommended to only get the flu shot and not the nasal spray. The reason for pregnant women not being able to use the nasal spray is because the spray is made up with live weakened flu virus which will weaken the immune system. “The nasal spray vaccine is safe for women after they have delivered, even if they are nursing.” (CDC, 2009, para. #3) Only mothers who have given birth can take the nasal spray other than that it is not recommended it could affect the mother’s health and also the baby’s well-being. There is no risk for pregnant women to be around a person who has taken the nasal spray vaccine.
Many mothers are concerned because of the side effects the H1N1 may cause them, the side effects the shot are the same as the ones a seasonal shot may cause. Even if it might have a side effect on pregnant women, doctors recommend getting the shot. Sometimes when a person receives a flu shot they might have an allergic reaction, this is the reason pregnant women are should let the person giving them the shot know about any allergies they have.
Those mothers that are breastfeeding are recommended to get both the seasonal and H1N1 shot especially if they never received it while pregnant. Some women may have concerns about getting the flu shot while breastfeeding but there is no risk at all, since the shot has antibodies they will be passed to the baby. It is important since babies cannot get a vaccination this is a way for them to be protected from getting the flu. Babies who are breast fed are less likely to get the flu.
Not only are mothers recommended to get the flu shot but also family members or anyone that will be taking care of the baby should get both shots. Babies immune systems is weak especially when they are 6 months and younger, they are more likely to get the flu or any other type of virus. Any person that will come in close contact to a baby should be extra clean when taking care of them like constantly washing hands and avoiding to have the baby around a sick person.
The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Preventation) said that there is much more complications when a pregnant women gets the swine flu which not only does it included being sick but also they might have a pre-term birth, cause them dehydration and pneumonia. When a pregnant woman is diagnosed with any type of symptom from the swine flu they are prescribed anti-viral medication which included Tamiflu and Relenza. “The drugs don't actually keep a person from getting infected with the flu bug. But they keep flu viruses from multiplying in the body.”(DeNoon, 2009, para. # 3)
One of the main reasons why pregnant women and new mothers are more vulnerable to get the swine flu is because of all the changes their body goes through while pregnancy and after giving birth. “Prior outbreaks of swine flu and even seasonal influenza indicate that pregnant women and new mothers are vulnerable to pneumonia.” (Ayers, 2009, para. # 2) when a women is pregnant the fetus moves around in a up and downward position which gives pressure to the lungs and it reduces the ability of the lungs to function as a normal persons.
The swine flu is a deadly virus especially to women who are pregnant since they are at such a high risk of catching it because of their weak immune system and how quickly the virus spreads from one person to another. Pregnant women should avoid touching eyes, coming in close contact with a person that might have the flu and also avoid crowded places and are recommended to keep hygiene. “Pregnant women fall under a “high risk” category, according to CDC guidelines. A vaccine advisory committee recommended that pregnant women and those caring for and living with infants be among the first in line for the vaccine.” (Bruno, 2009, para. #3)
Ayers, Art. (July 31, 2009) Diseases/Viruses. CDC Declares Pregnancy H1N1 Risk. Retrieved by October 10, 2010 from http://www.suite101.com/content/swine-flu-and-pregnancy-a117537
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2009) H1N1 Flu. 2009 H1N1 Influenza Shots and Pregnant Women: Questions and Answers for Patients. Retrieved by October 12, 2010 from http://miscarriage.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ&zTi=1&sdn=miscarriage&cdn=health&tm=11&f=00&su=p736.9.336.ip_&tt=15&bt=1&bts=0&zu=http%3A//www.cdc.gov/H1N1flu/vaccination/pregnant_qa.htm
DeNoon, Daniel J. (August 3, 2009) Cold & Flu Health Center. Tamiflu, Relenza Safely Prevent Flu Illness. Retrieved by October 10, 2010 from http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/news/20090803/tamiflu-relenza-safely-prevent-flu-illness-not-infection
Kampel, Eric. (2009) Swine Flu Symptoms. Swine Flu. Retrieved by September 23, 2010 from http://www.buzzle.com/articles/swine-flu-symptoms.html
