Pregnant Women Urged to Stay Home, Wear Masks

After we reported yesterday that six new mothers were on life support after contracting swine flu in pregnancy, the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists has urged pregnant women to wear masks in public and “wash themselves scrupulously” after coming into contact with others.

The college’s president, Ted Weaver, said pregnant women did not have to “go into lockdown” but should work from home if possible. “Be alert, but not alarmed – if it’s not essential to go out, stay home,” Dr Weaver said.

The warning comes after the swine flu death toll in NSW doubled overnight from five to ten. One of the victims was a five-year-old boy.

For pregnant women who are infected, the advice is to take antiviral drugs if prescribed. Brian Trudinger, the head of obstetrics at Westmead Hospital, said “The usual message in pregnancy is not to take anything, but for goodness sake, take the treatment. It is more benefit than harm.”

Australia seems to be recording one of the highest per capita rates of Swine Flu internationally. New figures reveal Australia and New Zealand now have more confirmed infections than any other country: 462 per million versus 158 per million in Britain and 118 per million in the US, perhaps due to Swine Flu hitting during the regular flu season.

We don’t like to be alarmist but as a pregnant woman myself I’m heeding the call — if you don’t have to go out, don’t! Hopefully employers will be flexible in regards to pregnant staff working from home.

[Source]