Ronan Kelly
Retired 2020
Swine flu checks mandatory for pregnant women
TNN, Jul 22, 2010, 02.00am IST
HYDERABAD: Of the 10 swine flu deaths in the state, an alarming six deaths have been of either pregnant women or those who have just delivered. And with three women succumbing to HINI in the last four days alone (all of whom were pregnant or had just delivered), the state health authorities are now all set to sensitise gynaecologists in the city.
The technical committee set up by the state government to help tackle swine flu effectively met on Wednesday along with superintendents of government hospitals where anti-natal facilities are provided. It was decided that from now on, as part of the anti-natal checkups, gynaecologists will also check for swine-flu like symptoms among pregnant women and make enquiries whether any of their family members have any such symptoms.
Besides, if there are symptoms, samples will be collected and sent to swine flu notified centres to avoid any delay. The health department is also planning to have a meeting with the members of Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecological Societies of India to sensitise gynaecologists from the private sector on the issue.
"Of the 10 deaths since June 1, six are those of women who were either pregnant (4) or had just delivered (2). All these cases came in a bad shape and expired because they got themselves admitted when their condition had deteriorated. In pregnancy, women are six times more prone to the infection. They develop complications because of their low immunity levels," said Dr K Subhakar, member of the technical committee.
Specialists said that many women assume that any form of medication is harmful during pregnancy and try avoiding them. However, doctors maintained that if the pregnant woman is worried about taking Oseltamivir in the first trimester, Relenza is an alternate that they can go for. "People who started the treatment within 48 hours of acquiring the infection have not developed any complications," specialists said.
Experts also maintained that people with flu-like symptoms should avoid visiting a mother and her new born as her immunity levels are still low post delivery. As far as vaccinating pregnant women is concerned, which the state government was contemplating as part of the vaccination drive in the second phase, authorities said that the decision has to come from the Government of India.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...ry-for-pregnant-women/articleshow/6198323.cms
TNN, Jul 22, 2010, 02.00am IST
HYDERABAD: Of the 10 swine flu deaths in the state, an alarming six deaths have been of either pregnant women or those who have just delivered. And with three women succumbing to HINI in the last four days alone (all of whom were pregnant or had just delivered), the state health authorities are now all set to sensitise gynaecologists in the city.
The technical committee set up by the state government to help tackle swine flu effectively met on Wednesday along with superintendents of government hospitals where anti-natal facilities are provided. It was decided that from now on, as part of the anti-natal checkups, gynaecologists will also check for swine-flu like symptoms among pregnant women and make enquiries whether any of their family members have any such symptoms.
Besides, if there are symptoms, samples will be collected and sent to swine flu notified centres to avoid any delay. The health department is also planning to have a meeting with the members of Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecological Societies of India to sensitise gynaecologists from the private sector on the issue.
"Of the 10 deaths since June 1, six are those of women who were either pregnant (4) or had just delivered (2). All these cases came in a bad shape and expired because they got themselves admitted when their condition had deteriorated. In pregnancy, women are six times more prone to the infection. They develop complications because of their low immunity levels," said Dr K Subhakar, member of the technical committee.
Specialists said that many women assume that any form of medication is harmful during pregnancy and try avoiding them. However, doctors maintained that if the pregnant woman is worried about taking Oseltamivir in the first trimester, Relenza is an alternate that they can go for. "People who started the treatment within 48 hours of acquiring the infection have not developed any complications," specialists said.
Experts also maintained that people with flu-like symptoms should avoid visiting a mother and her new born as her immunity levels are still low post delivery. As far as vaccinating pregnant women is concerned, which the state government was contemplating as part of the vaccination drive in the second phase, authorities said that the decision has to come from the Government of India.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...ry-for-pregnant-women/articleshow/6198323.cms