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Swine flu pregnancy advice

The UK Department of Health (DH) has issued a statement reinforcing swine flu advice for pregnant women.

 

Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Sir Liam Donaldson, doesn't encourage pregnant women to stop their normal daily activities such as travelling on public transport, going to work or attending family gatherings. However, he does recommend that pregnant women may want to think carefully about whether or not to attend events with large numbers of people. Sir Liam Donaldson suggested that at this type of event, pregnant women can't control who they have contact with.

Pregnant women are encouraged to reduce their risk of infection from swine flu. This can be done by frequently washing hands with soap and water or using a hand sanitiser, and avoiding contact with anyone who has or is suspected to have swine flu. Family members should also make sure they are maintaining good hand hygiene.

The CMO also suggests that if pregnant women do have flu-like symptoms, they should contact their GP early as they may need treatment with antiviral medicine, which is already available to treat the symptoms of swine flu.

Most pregnant women who get swine flu are likely to make a straightforward recovery. However, the CMO cautions that some may develop complications such as pneumonia. This risk increases in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy.

Vaccines

Vaccines for swine flu are currently being developed by two pharmaceutical companies in the UK. The DH expects the first batch of vaccines to be delivered to the NHS in August 2009. At the moment, it's likely that the vaccine will only be available through the NHS, and will be delivered to primary care trusts. Initially the amount of vaccine will be limited, so priority will be given to NHS and social care staff (doctors, nurses, pharmacists, etc) and to the people who are at an increased risk of complications from swine flu. The DH expects that there will be enough vaccine for half the UK population by the end of 2009.

The vaccine will be given in two doses, three weeks apart. Both doses must be from the same manufacturer.

It's expected that from the end of this week, the National Pandemic Flu Service in England will be running. This service will help people get advice and arrange treatment for swine flu either online or by telephone. It's hoped that the service will relieve some of the pressure on the NHS.

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