How To Treat Swine Flu When Pregnant

Are you expecting and waiting to hold your little bundle of joy? Always take necessary precautions from getting any kind of genuine disease amid pregnancy, even influenza. Some types of flu cause severe complications in pregnancy. Swine flu during pregnancy poses a real threat to you and to your unborn child. Check for the treatment for pregnant women when swine flu has attacked, in this article. Read on, to know more.

So, what is swine flu? Swine flu is an extremely contagious disease that affects human respiratory system and a new strain of influenza virus called H1N1 virus causes this condition. When you are pregnant, your body offers little resistance to all kinds of infections thus lowering your immunity level. Therefore, swine flu during pregnancy is a major risk factor.

Pregnancy Problems To Look Out For

What are the symptoms of swine flu? Tiredness, sore throat, fever, cough, muscles and joint pain, running nose, diarrhoea and vomiting are some of the symptoms of swine flu. While treating swine flu during pregnancy make sure to take extra care and treatment. Swine flu during pregnancy causes severe complications in the second and third trimester of pregnancy.

Even serious conditions like miscarriage, premature childbirth, lower birth weight and pneumonia are likely to develop if you don’t take proper treatment during pregnancy when swine flu is attacked. Therefore, pregnant women have to take better sensible precautions against swine flu. The following treatments can relieve the symptoms and helps you recover faster.

Medical Advice
If you develop any flu-like symptoms, then the first thing to do is to seek medical advice. Sometimes the doctor will take a nasal swab to determine whether you are infected with H1N1. If this tests positive the doctor will start the treatment accordingly.

Flu Shot
Taking a flu shot is the best available treatment when swine flu is attacked. During pregnancy if you take a flu shot, then the antibodies developed in your body goes through the placenta to help shield your infant from H1N1.

Drink Fluids
When you down with swine flu tiredness and sore throat happens as the symptoms. This will reduce your appetite level and even drinking enough water becomes too difficult causing dehydration. In order to avoid dehydration, increase the intake of fluids.

Antiviral Drugs
Often the treatment for pregnant when swine flu is attacked starts with the a full course of antiviral drugs which are safe for you and to your unborn child. Antiviral drugs help you to recover quickly from the illness if you are suffering from H1N1.

Pain Killers
Taking paracetamol tablet is a safe option and gives relief from mild fever and body pain. However, pregnant women should not take any take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Take Rest
Taking enough rest is essential when you are diagnosed with swine flu during pregnancy. This will help you to overcome the weariness that usually occurs with the illness.

Proper Hygiene
As with any other illness, you have to practice proper hygiene during the infection stage. Also, wash your hands quite often, avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth and use face masks when in public domain as it will help in arresting the disease from spreading.

As a matter of fact, it is advisable to stay isolated if you have swine flu during pregnancy and even for 24 hours after the symptoms have disappeared.