|
The effects of swine flu on pregnancy |
 |
 |
Among the
10,000 people around the world who have been infected by the new swine
flu virus figure around 20 women in various stages of pregnancy. This
is not a disease to catch in the middle of the pregnancy. Pregnant
women and women who suffer from asthma and other breathing problems are
at particular risk for dangerous complications. While there are some
risks to fetuses that arise from the antiviral medications usually used
in swine flu, the risks from the disease itself are far greater. Women
pregnant with a child need to understand that prompt treatment with
antiviral drugs is extremely important, according to the CDC.
It is so important to make sure that pregnant women have access to
swine flu medicines, that the WHO is beginning to consider advising the
countries of the world to pull back on treating regular patients of the
swine flu with antivirals, just so was that more medicines can be kept
in readiness for pregnant women and perhaps people with heart
diseasees. It is the thinking of the WHO that regular people often get
better on their own without antiviral treatment anyway. Women who are
pregnant who are either on watch for a possible swine flu or are
undoubtedly in the throes of it must go through five day courses of
antivirals.
The swine
flu that is seen today is thought to be a relatively mild
strain. But experts are on the watch to see if it might combine with
the dangerous bird flu virus out there and come back with renewed
vigor. There is still further concern that the current swine flu virus
could combine with the seasonal flu virus that came around in the
winter that was resistant to Tamiflu. Is that happens, a new variety of
swine flu could come around that could make Tamiflu useless against it.
The swine flu seen today is spreading so quickly that the authorities
may soon lose interest in counting. Of all flu cases seen today, the
swine flu accounts for about half. The fear is that what is reported
might just be a small proportion of the real number. This CDC is using
FluView, the system it uses to track the regular seasonal flu. It is to
be noted that most deaths seen so far from swine flu have been in
people who have had other serious health complications. Of all the
people who suffer from swine flu, almost all complained of fever, about
80% complained of a cough, and about half, a sore throat. All of this
is quite familiar to anyone who knows the seasonal flu. The symptoms to
swine flu that are different from seasonal flu are the ones to do with
diarrhea and vomiting.
Swine flu is a new disease; experts are still in the process of
learning about it. Until such time that this virus is able to be
addressed properly, the best thing to do is to use common
sense.
|
