A new strain of pandemic (wide spreading) influenza, H1N1, is of major concern for pregnant and breastfeeding women this year due to the fact that it is airborne. It is being transferred person to person via droplets released in the air after an infected person coughs or sneezes, which allows the virus to enter the body through the nose or mouth. Following extensive testing, it was discovered that this virus is a combination of genes from swine, avian and human flu. H1N1 first emerged in April 2009 and initial indications showed that unlike seasonal flu, which as a rule affects primarily seniors and children, it was also prevalent in healthy, young adults. Moreover, pregnant women in their second or third trimester may be at greater risk for complications if they come down with the virus and for new (first time) moms within four weeks of birth.

Symptoms

H1N1 shares similar symptoms with seasonal flu. Early symptoms of either flu may include, but are not limited to, fever and cough followed by some or all common indicators such as fatigue, sore throat, muscle/head aches and a runny nose.

Serious symptoms may include difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, chest pain, severe or unceasing vomiting, sudden dizziness, fever of 39 degrees C or above, intense abdominal pain and low blood pressure.