INFLUENZA and YOU - For Pregnant Patients

Pregnant Patients

If you have a scheduled appointment and you have influenza symptoms *****PLEASE call ahead to discuss your symptoms with our nursing staff.  Your appointment may be rescheduled to a later date when you are well.  THIS is VERY IMPORTANT in protecting the health of our patients and staff.

 

What is H1N1 novel influenza?

H1N1 novel influenza is a respiratory illness caused by a virus.  H1N1 is an influenza that can cause infection in humans.

What are the signs and symptoms of H1N1 novel influenza?

Fever above 100 degrees F, body aches, chills, sore throat, cough, runny nose, headache, fatigue.  In some cases diarrhea and vomiting have been reported.  Rhinovirus, which is the most frequent cause of the common cold, does not usually cause fever in adults.

How does H1N1 influenza spread?

When a person with the flu coughs or sneezes.  Touching something with flu virus on it and then touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

What should you do if you get sick?

Patients with Symptoms of the flu

1. Call us to determine your treatment plan.  If you are pregnant and have flu symptoms, you will likely require treatment.
2. STAY HOME
3. Avoid close contact with people, as much as possible, including avoiding travel and not going to work or school for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone EXCEPT to get medical care or for other necessities.  Your fever should be gone without needing to use Tylenol to lower fever.  Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue every time you cough or sneeze.  Throw used tissues in the waste basket.  If you do not have a tissue, sneeze or cough into your sleeve.
4. Wash your hands often with warm water and soap (for 20 seconds) or use an alcohol based hand cleaner.
5. Treat fever with Tylenol 650mg. every 4 hours until fever is gone.

What should you do if you are exposed to the flu?

If you have had "close contact" with someone with H1N1 call the clinic for a treatment plan.  (close contact is defined as caring for or living a person who is confirmed, probable, or suspected case of Novel influenza A (H1N1).  this includes kissing, embracing, sharing eating or drinking utensils.

Close contact does not include activities such as walking by an infected person, or sitting across from a patient in a waiting room or office. 

If you develop symptoms of the flu call the clinic for a treatment plan.

Breastfeeding patients

• Do not stop breastfeeding if you are ill.  Breastfeed early and often.
• The safest method is to pump the breast milk and have someone who is not ill feed and care for the infant.
• Limit formula feeding if you can.  this will help to protect your baby from infection.
• If no one else is available to feed the baby, wear a surgical mask to feed the infant.
• Be careful, do not sneeze or cough in the baby's face.
• Use good hand washing or alcohol based hand cleaner.

For more information:  http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1/infantfeeding.com

and

http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance/obstetric.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/pregnancy/

posted 9-15-09

 

 

 

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