H1N1 swine flu cases top 3,300 in U.S., CDC recommends antiviral drug treatment for pregnant patients

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 3,352 cases of H1N1 “swine” flu have now been confirmed in the U.S. in 45 states, including the District of Columbia.

Washington has 176 confirmed cases as of today, the CDC reports. King County reports 120 confirmed cases and 10 probable as of Tuesday afternoon.

To date most of the cases have been mild, but the virus has been blamed for three deaths: two in Texas and one in Washington state.

Pregnant women at risk of complications

But pregnant women appear to be at particular risk for more severe disease, said Dr. Anne Schuchat, interim deputy director for Science and Public Health at the CDC.

“Influenza can cause worse complications in pregnancy than in people who are not pregnant,” Dr Schuchat said in a Webcast press briefing Tuesday. “Important complications include pneumonia and dehydration as well as complications for the newborn, like premature labor.”

“We think it’s very important when doctors are caring for pregnant women who they suspect may have influenza, that they issue prompt treatment with antiviral medicines,” Dr. Schuchat said.

Dr. Schuchat noted that although doctors are often reluctant to prescribe antiviral medications to pregnant women and that pregnant women are often reluctant to take such medicines, the benefits appear to outweigh the risks.

“The experts who have looked into this situation really strongly say that the benefits of using antiviral drugs to treat influenza in a pregnant woman outweigh the theoretical concerns about the drugs,” she said.

Currently, the CDC recommends either Tamiflu (oseltamivir ) or Relenza (zanamivir) for treatment of H1N1 influenza. The CDC has issued specific recommendations for the treatment of H1N1 influenza in general and for pregnant women in particular.

To learn more:

• Read the CDC’s recommendations concerning pregnant women and H1N1 flu here.
• Visit Public Health – Seattle & King County’s H1N1 swine flu information page.

Tags: 2009/H1N1, A/H1N1, CDC, Flu, H1N1, Influenza, Influenza A, King County, Pregnancy, Relenza, Seattle, Swine Flu, Tamiflu, Washington

Category: Drugs & Medicines, Influenza, Pregnancy, Women's Health