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Pregnancy has long been known as a risk factor for serious complications from influenza.
Researchers know that during the 1918 pandemic an abnormally high number of pregnant women died from the influenza, and those that survived endured a very high miscarriage rate.
Even during the much milder 1957 Asian Flu, pregnant women reportedly suffered disproportionately higher mortality rates than non-pregnant women of the same age.
Accordingly, the CDC has been strongly recommending the aggressive use of antivirals in pregnant women suspected, or confirmed to have the H1N1 virus.
Today, the CDC’s MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report) has detailed case histories of 3 pregnant women who recently contracted the H1N1 virus.
CIDRAP’s (Center For Infectious Disease Research & Policy) Lisa Schnirring picks up the story.
CDC urges vigilance for pregnant women with flu symptoms
Lisa Schnirring
Staff Writer
May 12, 2009 (CIDRAP News) – Pregnant women who have confirmed, probable, or suspected novel influenza H1N1 infections should receive antiviral treatment for 5 days, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said today in a detailed report on three pregnant women who had the disease, one of whom died.
In its surveillance of the novel influenza outbreak, the CDC has been gathering information on infections in pregnant women. As of May 10, 20 cases have been reported, including 15 confirmed and 5 probable cases. The CDC published its findings on the three cases in a Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Dispatch.
Anne Schuchat, MD, interim deputy director CDC's science and public health program, said at a media briefing today that the CDC is singling out the cases to remind healthcare providers and the public that pregnant women are at higher risk for flu complications such as pneumonia and dehydration and that the agency is seeing some severe complications in pregnant women who have novel H1N1 infections.
"We want to get the word out about prompt antiviral treatment," she said.
Robert Roos, Editor of CIDRAP also has a report tonight on WHO’s intention to announce new guidance on the use of antivirals, recommending that it be reserved for high risk patients and those severely ill.
WHO likely to counsel restraint on antivirals for H1N1
Robert Roos
May 12, 2009 (CIDRAP News) – The World Health Organization (WHO) plans to release clinical guidance that will say most patients sick with the novel H1N1 influenza (swine flu) will not need antiviral treatment, but the drugs should be considered for high-risk groups, a WHO official said today.
"Soon we will be publishing initial guidance for clinical management for this disease," said Dr. Nikki Shindo, leader of the WHO clinical team for response to the H1N1 epidemic, speaking at a news briefing. "We are highlighting the fact that most of the patients will not require hospitalization or antiviral therapy."
Later she added, "We will recommend to consider the use of antivirals for high-risk groups or the group of people at increased risk, depending on availability."
Yesterday the WHO said the new virus usually causes only a mild illness in otherwise healthy people.
Both articles are well written, informative, and worth reading in their entirety.
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