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## H1N1 Flu

### H1N1 Flu

            - CDC Response: A Year In Review                - Overview of a Pandemic                  - Background on Influenza
                - Tracking Influenza
                - Preparing for a Pandemic
                - Detection of the 2009 H1N1 Virus
                - Impact of 2009 H1N1
                - Accomplishments (1)
                - Accomplishments (2)
                - Accomplishments (3)
                - Conclusion 
            - General Info                - H1N1 Flu & You
              - What to Do If You Get Sick
              - Caring for Someone Sick                  - About H1N1 Flu
                - Spread of Flu Germs
                - H1N1 More Serious for Some
                - Symptoms
                - Warning Signs
                - Make a Sick Room
                - Follow Sick Room Rules
                - Clean the Sick Room
                - Tips for Caregivers
                - Prevent Fluid Loss
                - Check for Fluid Loss
                - When to Get Medical Help for Fluid Loss
                - Medicine Safety
                - Medicine Safety & Children
                - Treat Fever
                - Treat Dry Cough
                - Treat Other Symptoms 
              - Vaccine
              - Antiviral Drugs
              - Diagnostic Testing
              - Facemasks & Respirators
              - PSAs
              - H1N1 Flu in Animals 
            - Info for Specific Groups                - Emergency Shelters
              - Health Care Providers
              - State, Local & Tribal Health Officials
              - Laboratorians
              - Pharmacists
              - Parents & Caregivers                  - Child Care Programs
                - Day and Residential Camps 
              - K-12 Schools
              - Colleges & Universities
              - Community &Faith-based Organizations
              - People at High Risk                  - People 65 Years and Older
                - Pregnant Women
                - People with HIV/AIDS
                - People with Diabetes
                - People with Disabilities
                - People With Cardiovascular Disease
                - People With Asthma
                - People With Arthritis
                - Adults With HIV Infections
                - African Americans
                - Cancer Patients and Survivors 
              - Businesses & Employers
              - Travelers & Travel Industry
              - Deaf & Hard of Hearing
              - People in Contact with Pigs
              Guidelines - Noncommercial Settings With Pigs
Guidelines - Commercial Settings With Pigs 
            - Guidance
            - Vaccine                - General Info
              - Info for Professionals
              - Info for Planners
              - H1N1 Flu: Free Resources
              - Vaccine Safety Information
              - Vaccine Supply Status
              - National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW)
              - NIVW Activities
              - NIVW Submit Your Event
              - NIVW Toolkit
              - NIVW Web Tools
              - NIVW Professionals
              - NIVW Matte   Articles 
            - Treatment (Antivirals)                - Antiviral Recommendations                - Antiviral Safety Information 
            - Diagnosis
            - Infection Control
            - Situation Update                - U.S. Situation Update
              - International Situation Update
              - Past Situation Updates
              - Health Alert Network (HAN) 
            - Press Updates
            - Reports & Publications                - MMWR Reports
              - Epidemiological Pubs 
            - Travel
            - Emergency Use Authorization
            - Tools
            - Audio & Video
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            - Social Media
            - What's New

#### Other Flu Sites

              - Seasonal Flu
              - Avian Flu
              - Canine Flu
              - Swine Flu (in Pigs)

Content on this page was developed during the 2009-2010 H1N1 pandemic and *has not been updated*.
                  - The H1N1 virus that caused that pandemic is now a regular human flu virus and continues to circulate seasonally worldwide.
                  - The English language content on this website is being archived for  historic and reference purposes only .
                  - For current, updated information on seasonal flu, including information about H1N1, see the  CDC Seasonal Flu website .

# What Should Pregnant Women Know About 2009 H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu)?

October 19, 2009 2:30 PM ET

#### On this Page

                        - What if I am pregnant and I get 2009 H1N1?
                        - What can I do to protect myself, my baby and my family?
                        - Is it safe for pregnant women to get a flu shot?
                        - Who else should get a flu shot?
                        - What else can I do?
                        - What are the symptoms of seasonal and 2009 H1N1 flu?
                        - What should I do if I get sick?
                        - How is 2009 H1N1 flu treated?
                        - When should I get emergency medical care?
                        - How should I feed my baby if I am sick?

These questions and answers have been updated  to include new information on 2009 H1N1 flu in pregnant women. Both seasonal  and 2009 H1N1 flu viruses will circulate during the 2009-2010 flu season. A  pregnant woman who thinks she has the flu should call her doctor right away to  see if treatment with an antiviral medicine is needed.  The  medicine is most helpful if it is started soon after the pregnant woman becomes  sick. The latest advice for getting  seasonal and 2009 H1N1 vaccines during pregnancy is also included.

### What if  I am pregnant and I get 2009 H1N1?

Call your doctor right away  if you have flu symptoms or if you have close contact with someone who has the  flu. Pregnant women who get sick with 2009 H1N1 can have serious health  problems. They can get sicker than other people who get 2009 H1N1 flu. Some  pregnant women sick with 2009 H1N1 have had early labor and severe pneumonia.  Some have died.  If you are pregnant and  have symptoms of the flu, take it very seriously. Call your doctor right away for advice.

### What can  I do to protect myself, my baby and my family?

Getting a flu shot is the  single best way to protect against the flu.   Talk with your doctor about getting a seasonal flu shot and the 2009  H1N1 flu shot.  You will need both flu shots  this year to be fully protected against flu.  You should get both shots as soon as they are available to protect you  and your baby. The seasonal flu shot has been shown to protect both the mother and  her baby (up to 6 months old) from flu-like illness.

Talk with your doctor right away if you have close contact with  someone who has 2009 H1N1 flu.  You might  need to take medicine to reduce your chances of getting the flu. Your doctor  may prescribe Tamiflu® or Relenza® to help prevent 2009 H1N1 flu. To prevent flu, you would take a lower dose  of the antiviral medicine for 10 days.

### Is it  safe for pregnant women to get a flu shot?

The seasonal flu shot has been given to millions of  pregnant women over many years. Flu shots have not been shown to cause harm to  pregnant women or their babies.  The 2009  H1N1 flu shot is made in the same way and in the same places as the seasonal  flu shot.  It is very important for  pregnant women to get both the seasonal flu shot and the 2009 H1N1 flu  shot. Learn more about the H1N1 vaccine and pregnant women.

### Who else should get a flu shot?

Anybody who will be taking care of babies younger than 6 months of age should get a seasonal flu shot and a 2009 H1N1  flu shot to protect against the flu. This includes you and any family members  or other people who will be caring for your baby for the first 6 months of his  or her life. Please see CDC’s 2009 H1N1 Vaccination Recommendations. 

### What else can I do?

Take these everyday steps to help prevent the spread of germs and  protect your health and the health of your family:
              - Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze,  or sneeze into your sleeve. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. 
              - Wash your hands often with soap and warm water, especially after  you cough or sneeze. If soap and water are not available, an alcohol-based hand  rub can be used.  
              - Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way. 
              - Try to avoid close contact with sick people. 
              If there is        2009 H1N1 flu in your community, pay extra attention to your body and how        you are feeling. If you think you have the flu, call your doctor or        clinic right away.
If you are        pregnant and you live with or have close contact with someone who has        2009 H1N1 flu, talk with your doctor about medicines to prevent flu.
Have a plan        for someone else to take care of a sick family member. 

              - Stock up on household, health, and emergency supplies, such as  acetaminophen (Tylenol®), water, and non-perishable foods.

### What are  the symptoms of seasonal and 2009 H1N1 flu?

You may have the  flu if you have some or all of these symptoms:
              - Fever* 
              - Cough 
              - Sore throat 
              - Runny or stuffy nose
              - Body aches 
              - Headaches 
              - Chills 
              - Fatigue
              - Sometimes, diarrhea and vomiting 

*It’s important to  note that some people with flu will not have a fever.

### What should I do if I get sick?

If you get sick with flu-like symptoms, stay  home, stay away from others, and call your doctor right away.  If needed, he or she will prescribe an antiviral medicine that treats  the flu. Have someone check in  with you often if you are feeling ill. This is always a good idea. 

### How is  2009 H1N1 flu treated?

              - 2009 H1N1 flu is  treated with antiviral drugs  such as Tamiflu®  (oseltamivir) or Relenza® (zanamivir). Antiviral drugs are prescription pills,  liquids or an inhaled powder that fight against the flu by keeping the germs  from growing in your body. These medicines work best if they are taken as soon  as you have symptoms of the flu.  For  that reason, it is important that you call your doctor as soon as you notice  flu-like symptoms.  
              - If your doctor prescribes an antiviral to treat your flu, you will  need to take it for 5 days. The medicine can make you get better faster and  make your symptoms milder.   
              - At this time, there have been no reports to show harm to the  pregnant woman or her developing baby. Flu can cause serious illness and even death  in pregnant women. Taking antiviral medicine can help prevent these severe  outcomes.
              - Antiviral medicines can be taken at any stage during pregnancy.
              - Treat any fever right away.   Acetaminophen (Tylenol®) is best for a pregnant woman to use to reduce a  fever.
              - Drink plenty of fluids to replace those you lose when you are  sick. 
              - If you have had close contact with someone who is sick with the  flu, your doctor may prescribe Tamiflu® or Relenza® to help prevent 2009 H1N1  flu.  To prevent flu, you would take a  lower dose of the medicine for 10 days. 
              - Antiviral medicines can be taken at any stage during pregnancy.

### When should I get emergency medical care?

****If you have any  of these signs, call 911 right away:
              - Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath 
              - Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen 
              - Sudden dizziness 
              - Confusion 
              - Severe or persistent vomiting 
              - A high fever that is not responding to Tylenol®
              - Decreased or no movement of your baby

### How should I feed my baby if I am sick?

If you can, breastfeed.  Breast milk is the perfect food for your baby**.**There are many ways that  breastfeeding and breast milk protect your baby’s health.  Babies who are  breastfed get sick from infections like the flu less often and less severely  than babies who are not breastfed.

Flu can be very  serious in young babies. You do not have to stop breastfeeding if you have the  flu, but you have to be careful to protect your baby from getting sick. Learn more about CDC’s recommendations for feeding a sick baby.

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        - Page last reviewed October 19, 2009 2:30 PM ET
        - Page last updated October 19, 2009 2:30 PM ET
        - Content source:  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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