WDBJ7 Roanoke News and Weather NRV Lynchburg Danville | Pregnant women at increased risk for serious complications from novel H1N1 virus
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Pregnant women need to be extra careful when it comes to the novel H1N1 virus also known as the swine flu.
Even if the pregnant woman is healthy, she is at an increased risk for serious complications.
Sarah Bayer said her doctor warned her about the risk. She works at a school so she's even more concerned about coming in contact with virus.
"I am very overly cautious. This is my first child so I'm taking it to the extreme measure. But it's better to safe than sorry," said Bayer, an expectant mother.
Doctor Mona Sadek with Western Virginia OB-GYN told News 7 a disproportionate number of pregnant women are dying from the swine flu.
"What we're seeing is pregnancy predisposes you to be more immune compromised, " said Sadek.
The most recent numbers from health officials, show as of late August, close to 100 pregnant women in the U-S have been hospitalized in intensive care, and 28 have died from the H1N1 virus.
"The folks that have died were folks that we're treated six days out. We really need to be treating them within 24 t0 48 hours," said Sadek.
That's why it's important a pregnant women contact her doctor right away if she has flu symptoms.
The symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose, body aches, chills, and a headache. Some people also have diarrhea and vomiting.
Ashleigh Austin plans to get the flu shot.
"Just concerns for my baby, I want to make sure he's as healthy as he can be and that I stay healthy myself," said Austin.
Doctor Sadek recommends pregnant women also get the seasonal flu shot as well.
Many pregnant women may not realize getting vaccinated also protects the baby after birth, as the baby receives antibodies from the mom.
The first doses of the vaccine are on their way to Virginia. Those doses are primarily for health care and emergency workers.
For more on pregnant women and the swine flu, click here.
