The Government are advising pregnant women and parents with children under five to avoid crowds and unnecessary travel to minimise the risk of Swine Flu.
The government guidance is being re-issued after a woman with the H1N1 virus died just after giving birth. The National Childbirth Trust has been accused of sensationalising the situation for suggesting women delay pregnancy.
Worry about the effects of swine flu on new and expectant mothers has increased since the death of 39 year old Ruptara Miah in London on 13 July. Her baby is still very ill in intensive care. Another young victim of the virus was a child less than six months old, who also died in London.
The Department of Health advice is based on recommendations given out by the Royal College of Midwives. Health experts say pregnant women have suppressed immune systems and could suffer possible complications if they contract swine flu, such as pneumonia, breathing difficulties and dehydration. Young children are also particularly vulnerable.
Like everyone else, pregnant women are being told to practise good hygiene by washing their hands frequently with soap and water, and to avoid crowded places when possible.
The majority of mums-to-be with swine flu are being prescribed Relenza, an inhaled antiviral drug which treats the virus without reaching the foetus. However, in cases where the virus is particularly severe, doctors can offer Tamiflu instead.
The NHS website stresses that most expectant mothers who contract swine flu will only have mild symptoms and recover within a week.
The NCT website says: "The Department of Health advises that it may be sensible for those trying for children to consider delaying conception whilst the pandemic is going on."
Speaking to the Observer newspaper, Professor Steve Field, chairman of the Royal College of General Practitioners said of the NCT advice: "....although technically correct, its advice is a completely disproportionate reaction...because it adds to the sense of hysteria and panic that seems to be engulfing the nation."
The Department of Health said it advised women to plan their pregnancy carefully, but was not advising against trying to conceive.
"Mums-to-be are more vulnerable to any type of flu. It is particularly important that anyone who has existing health problems and is thinking about starting a family should talk to their GP first, as they normally would," a spokesman for the department said.
Belinda Phipps, chief executive of National Childbirth Trust, said: "If you are pregnant, you are slightly more susceptible to all infections. One of them is swine flu. It is important that pregnant women know that - and particularly other members of the population know that - so that they behave responsibly and if they are sick they don't go and put themselves close to a pregnant woman."
Twenty-nine people have now died in the UK after contracting swine flu - 26 in England and three in Scotland. The government has warned that the number of deaths from the virus this winter in the UK could reach between 19,000 and 65,000. However, it is important to remember that during the 1999 to 2000 winter, seasonal flu deaths reached 21,000 and even during average winters there are normally anywhere between 6,000 to 8,000 deaths.
July 19 2009
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