Pregnant Women
Pregnancy puts you at much higher risk than most people for complications from flu, especially novel H1N1 flu (swine flu).
Normally, people who get novel H1N1 flu or seasonal flu recover within a few days to two weeks. But for a few, the flu can lead to life-threatening complications such as pneumonia and even death.
The good news is, there are things you can do to help protect yourself from novel H1N1 flu and seasonal flu. The first is to getvaccinated for flu. You’ll need one shot for each type of flu. Talk to your healthcare provider about the vaccine and other ways to stay healthy.
Learn as much as you can, not only to protect yourself, but to protect your baby after he or she is born. Infants from birth to 6 months of age are too young to get flu vaccines. Novel H1N1 flu and seasonal flu can lead to more dangerous health problems for infants.
Symptoms of Seasonal Flu and Novel H1N1 Flu
Two types of contagious flu viruses are active in South Carolina this year — seasonal flu and novel H1N1 flu (swine flu). Both types can cause mild to severe respiratory illness and can even lead to death.
While the flu is different from the common cold, symptoms of seasonal flu and novel H1N1 flu are very similar. If you get the flu you will probably experience one or more of these symptoms about 48 to 72 hours after contact with the virus:
- Fever (usually high)
- Headache
- Extreme tiredness
- Dry cough
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Muscle aches
- Occasionally, stomach symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Urgent Warning Signs
If these symptoms occur, seek medical attention immediately.
In adults:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
- Sudden dizziness
- Confusion
- Severe or persistent vomiting.
In children:
- Fast breathing or trouble breathing
- Bluish skin color
- Not drinking enough fluids
- Not waking up or not interacting
- Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
- Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
- Fever with a rash.
Flu Vaccines During Pregnancy
Flu vaccines are your best protection against seasonal flu and novel H1N1 flu. To protect yourself from both strains, you’ll need a separate vaccine for each type of flu.
People who are in greater danger of life-threatening health problems from novel H1N1 flu or seasonal flu should get vaccinated as soon as possible. If you are pregnant, this includes you.
It is safe for pregnant women to receive the inactivated flu vaccine for seasonal flu and for novel H1N1 flu. The inactivated flu vaccine is available only as an injection (shot). Pregnant women should not take the flu vaccines in nasal mist form.
To learn where you can get seasonal flu and novel H1N1 flu vaccines in your community, see DHEC’s Flu Vaccine Clinic Finder.
Flu Vaccines Protect Your Baby
Getting the two flu vaccines not only protects you, it helps protect your baby. Remember, babies younger than 6 months of age can’t be vaccinated for seasonal flu or novel H1N1 flu.
In fact, anyone who lives in your home or who will care for your baby should also be vaccinated against both types of flu.
These Groups Need Flu Vaccines the Most
The CDC identified certain groups of people who are particularly susceptible to the seasonal and novel H1N1 influenza viruses. SCDHEC urges all South Carolinians to get both the seasonal and novel H1N1 vaccines.
The list for seasonal flu is different from the list for novel H1N1 flu.
These People Should Get a Seasonal Flu Vaccine ASAP |
These People Should Get a Novel H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) Vaccine ASAP |
| Those age 50 and older | Pregnant women |
| Pregnant women | Household contacts and caregivers for babies younger than 6 months of age |
| Children 6 months to 18 years of age | Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel |
| People of any age who have chronic medical conditions (e.g. asthma, diabetes, congestive heart failure, lung disease) | All children from 6 months to 17 years of age |
| People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities | Young adults 18 to 24 years of age |
| People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu. | People 25 through 64 years of age who have health conditions that put them at higher risk of medical complications from flu. |
Get updates on vaccine availability in South Carolina, learn more about vaccine safety, and find a flu vaccine clinic in your local area.
Also see these CDC resources on flu vaccines in pregnancy:
- Update: Vaccine Against 2009 H1N1 Influenza Virus
- Flu Myths and Realities
- 2009 H1N1 Influenza Vaccine and Pregnant Women
- Vaccines and Immunizations for Pregnant Women
- General Questions and Answers on H1N1 Vaccine Safety
- General Questions and Answers on Thimerosal
- H1N1 Flu Vaccination Resources
- Children, the Flu, and the Flu Vaccine
Everyday Flu Prevention
- Wash your hands often with soap and water. Wash them for as long as it takes to sing the Happy Birthday song twice.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Stay home if you are sick until you have been symptom-free without taking fever reducing medicine for 24 hours.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
- Eat a healthy diet, exercise and get plenty of rest.
Treating the Flu
Whether your symptoms are mild or severe, if you get the flu, see your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider can give you antiviral medications to help you recover faster and lower your risk of passing the virus on to others.
If you’re caring for someone who has the flu:
- Never give aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) to children or teenagers who have the flu; this can cause a rare but serious illness called Reye’s syndrome.
- Frequently wipe down commonly touched surfaces like stairway railings, telephones, and door handles. Other than that, follow your normal housekeeping routine.
- See the CDC’s information on taking care of a sick person in your home.
Information on Antiviral Flu Medicines from the Food and Drug Administration
- Zanamivir (Relenza) Fact Sheet for Patients and Parents (pdf)
- Tamiflu Fact Sheet for Patients and Parents (pdf)
- Informe De Zanamivir (Relenza) Para Pacientes Y Padres (pdf)
- Informe De Tamiflu Para Pacientes Y Padres (pdf)
Stay Healthy while Traveling
If you are planning to travel internationally, talk to your health professional about flu vaccines and any other immunizations you may need, and see these CDC resources:
Flu Information in Other Languages:
- American Sign Language Videos on Flu for People Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
- Flu.gov Multi-Language Fact Sheets in Arabic, Chinese, Spanish, German, Italian, Korean, Russian, Tagalog, and Vietnamese.
Additional Resources:
- H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu): Resources for Pregnant Women
This is a quick overview of what pregnant women need to know about 2009 H1N1 flu. It is in downloadable format for use in doctor's offices or by individuals. - Working in Education, Child Care, and Health Care Settings Concerning 2009 H1N1 Influenza Virus
- American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: New Information on H1N1 Influenza Virus includes: Asessment and Treatment for Pregnant Women with ILI Patient Fact Sheet for Pregnant Women (English and Spanish) ACOG urges physicians to vaccinate their pregnant patients for 2009 H1N1
If, after reading the information available here, you have questions about the 2009 H1N1 vaccine,
please call 1-800-27SHOTS (1-800-277-4687).
