Pregnancy and swine flu

Last reviewed: 3 March 2010

Pregnant women are considered to be a 'higher risk group' for swine flu. This means that for a small minority of preganat women who develop a swine flu infection, complications could arise that put their own or their baby's health at risk. As a result, certain specific advice is appropriate.

However, it is important to keep this in perspective - the majority of pregnant women who catch swine flu will make a full recovery.

This section aims to answer the frequently asked questions on pregnancy and swine flu. For specific questions about vaccination and pregnancy see the swine flu vaccination and pregnancy FAQ.

Is swine flu harmful for me or my baby?
What should I do if I start to feel unwell?
Is it safe to take antiviral drugs?
Do I need to avoid going out in public?
How can I avoid catching swine flu?
Is the vaccine safe to take during pregnancy? 

Is swine flu harmful for me or my baby?

The majority of pregnant women who catch swine flu will make a full recovery, with no complications or damage to their own or their baby's health.

However, a very small number of pregnant women who catch the virus may develop complications (including pneumonia) that could put their own and their baby's health at risk.

In a small minority of cases, these complications may lead to early delivery or miscarriage. These risks are greater in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy.

What should I do if I start to feel unwell?

If you are pregnant and feel unwell or develop symptoms of a flu-like illness (headache, cough, sore throat and fever) then you should contact your GP as soon as possible.

Pregnant women who are diagnosed with any type of flu may require close monitoring. In the unlikely event that complications occur, it is important that a diagnosis is made quickly so that treatment can be offered promptly.

Is it safe to take antiviral drugs?

If, after medical assessment, it is felt that you have flu then an antiviral drug may be offered. These do not cure the infection, but reduce the length of infection.

There are two antiviral drugs being used to combat swine flu, called oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza). Zanamivir is inhaled into the lungs rather than given as a pill, which means that very little of it goes into your bloodstream. It is therefore generally recommended for use in pregnant women although oseltamivir can also be used safely in pregnancy.

Do I need to avoid going out in public?

There is no need to stop normal activities such as going to work, travelling on public transport, and attending events and family gatherings.There are now few flu infections circulating in the UK so the risk of catching flu is now low.

How can I avoid catching swine flu?

One of the best ways that pregnant women can protect themselves from swine flu is to have the swine flu jab. Scientific evidence from North America, Australia and Europe shows that pregnant women are at an increased risk of severe disease and flu-related hospital admission. The risk increases towards the end of pregnancy.
The Department of Health has produced NHS - swine flu and pregnancy leaflet: 

Given that pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to complications should they get swine flu, the Health Protection Agency strongly recommends that pregnant women should have the vaccine.

There are other measures women can take to protect themselves.

Wherever possible, you should avoid contact with someone who is known or suspected to have swine flu.  In addition, practical steps you can take include:

• Maintaining good basic hygiene, for example washing hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of the virus from hands to your face or to other people.
• Cleaning hard surfaces (such as door handles) frequently using a normal cleaning product.

General good hygiene in the household can also help to reduce the chance of catching any viruses, including the swine flu virus. This includes:

• People covering their nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue when possible.
• Disposing of dirty tissues promptly and carefully.

Is the vaccine safe to take during pregnancy?

European regulators have strict processes in place for licensing pandemic vaccines, which include careful consideration of safety issues.

When considering the licensing of the current swine flu vaccines the European regulators gave careful consideration to the burden of disease caused by swine flu in pregnant women. In addition they considered the safety record of seasonal flu vaccines and the nature of the adjuvants (substances that boost the immune response from the vaccine) that were incorporated into the pandemic vaccines. In light of the positive evidence that is available the licences were granted.

The seasonal flu vaccination has been recommended for several years in many countries and has been shown to be safe in all stages of pregnancy.  There is no indication from reproductive toxicity studies that inclusion of adjuvants is associated with any risks in pregnancy. 

For more information see the swine flu vaccination and pregnancy FAQ.

Last reviewed: 5 March 2010