Fever in pregnant women should be treated promptly with acetaminophen. Pregnant women should be aware that they need to watch for flu symptom and contact their health care provider immediately if they develop these symptoms or if they have had close contact with someone who is sick with the flu. Pregnant women with novel H1N1 flu should start antiviral treatment as soon as possible, while those who have been exposed to the virus through close contact with someone who is ill should talk to their health care provider about the possible need for antiviral medication to prevent getting sick.Below is the summary pregnant women, or those who might be pregnant, should:
- Stay home if they are sick. Pregnant women who are ill with flu like symptoms should stay home and not go to work or in the community for at least 24 hours after fever is gone, except to seek medical care or for other necessities. (Fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.)
- Use everyday precautions: wash your hands often and cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue. Encourage all of your family members to use these precautions too.
- As soon as possible, get a flu shot. Seasonal influenza vaccine is recommended for all women who are or will be pregnant during the 2009-2010 influenza season – roughly October through March of the following year. Flu shots can be given to pregnant women at any time during pregnancy.
- Decide now how you will ask for help from your family or neighbors if you or your children get sick with the flu. Pregnant women who get the flu sometimes get very sick. Someone will need to make sure you have the care you need, lots of rest, and fluids, and have nourishing meals. If your children get sick, you may need someone to help care for them so that you aren’t exposed to their germs.
