On the website of the Spanish Ministry of Health we find an interesting compilation of the most frequently asked questions about influenza A. There is a section dedicated to pregnant women, where we find answers to interesting questions such as prevention measures, what to do if we have been in contact with patients, taking antiviral drugs or compatibility with breastfeeding.
Let's look at the answers one by one, while remembering the symptoms and advice about the spread of influenza A in pregnant women.
What can I do to avoid getting infected if I am pregnant?
Pregnant women are more susceptible to all infections because their immune system is naturally decreased. For this reason and in relation to the Flu, it is important to continuously comply with the same preventive measures as the general population. If you are pregnant, avoid close contact with sick people.
What should I do if I am pregnant and have been in contact with a person with the Flu A (H1N1)?
We have all been in contact with patients with influenza A (H1N1). However, if you have been in close contact with someone who has developed an influenza A, between one day before developing the symptoms and up to 7 days after the onset of them you should contact your doctor or health service as soon as possible to That values your situation.
What happens if a pregnant woman becomes infected with the new influenza virus?
Most pregnant women who have had the flu have had only mild symptoms. But during pregnancy, and especially in the second and third trimesters, there is a increased risk of complications associated with the new influenza virus. This increased risk has been observed in previous pandemics and seasonal flu.
Therefore, if you are pregnant and start with flu symptoms, you should contact your doctor / health service as soon as possible to have an individual assessment of your case.
Fever is usually present in 97% of cases of pregnant women suffering from influenza A. If you have a fever, you should lower it immediately with paracetamol. Paracetamol is a safe medicine in pregnancy and fever has been associated with an increase in neural tube defects when they occur in the first trimester of pregnancy and other neonatal problems. Controlling fever is a priority objective of medical treatment.
Although in the current phase of the influenza A (H1N1) pandemic, it is only advisable to take samples to confirm the diagnosis in severe cases that require hospitalization. The pregnant woman constitutes an exception and the diagnosis must be confirmed, to avoid unnecessary treatment.
Can I be calm in pregnancy when taking antivirals if my doctor tells me to?
As you know pregnancy is a very special time in which a new being is growing inside. For this reason there are very strict safety limits for the use of medicines in pregnant women. Pregnant women are not part of the drug test groups and therefore many times the adverse effects cannot be completely ruled out. Many pregnant women have had to be treated for complications of the flu with these medications and although serious adverse effects have not been reported so far, it is better to be cautious and only use them when a careful individual assessment indicates that the benefits may overcome the possible inconveniences. .
Can breastfeeding continue if you have the flu from a new virus A (H1N1)?
As we said in Babies and more, breast milk contains antibodies that protect the baby from numerous diseases. Thus it is advised to maintain breastfeeding even if the mother gets the flu or has been in contact with confirmed or suspected cases, or is taking antiviral medications by prescription. The amount of antiviral that is secreted in breast milk is negligible.
To avoid the transmission of the flu to the child, the mother must be especially careful with the usual hygienic measures. Y a mask could be worn since if she is sick she could cough during the taking and her secretions reach the baby. The mask minimizes the possibility that it can infect others. In the event that the disease complicates breastfeeding or the risk of respiratory transmission of the disease is very likely, it is recommended to express the milk with an extractor and then administer it to the baby.
