Concerned about H1N1 (Swine flu)?

Prepared for La Leche League Canada's Member News October, 2009

By Teresa Pitman and Nicola Aquino, Professional Liaison Administrator

 

As winter approaches, and "flu season" hits, warnings about the dangers of
the H1N1

flu are everywhere. Women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or mothering
small

children may be especially concerned. Yet good information is hard to find.
Because

H1N1 is a new virus, scientists are unsure about how it is going to act, and
the official

recommendations keep changing.

 

This is being called a moderate pandemic, which means the virus is easily
spread

between people and is currently affecting a wide geographic area. It does
not mean that

it is dangerous for most people, and, in fact, the overwhelming majority of
people have

mild flu symptoms and make a full recovery without needing anti-viral
medication or

treatment in hospital.

 

Some people are at greater risk, though. Pregnant women who get the H1N1
virus

become much sicker, much faster than any other group, and there have been a
number

of pregnant women who have died. Right now we don't know why that is so.

 

The H1N1 virus can live outside the body, and remains infectious for up to
eight hours

on a hard surface or a few minutes on something soft like cloth. People can
spread the

virus for at least a day before they have any symptoms, and they are
contagious for up

to seven days after symptoms start.*

 

You can reduce the risks for your family by following these steps:

 

. Wash hands frequently (or use hand sanitizer in the absence of soap and
water)

. Do not share drinking glasses or eating utensils

. Be conscientious about not touching your face, nose and mouth when out in
the community

 

If someone in your family or workplace is ill, please avoid attending events
(such as

LLLC meetings) where you might be around pregnant women. Remember that you
can

spread the illness before you have any symptoms.

 

If you are pregnant.

 

The Centers for Disease Control in the US and the Public Health Agency of
Canada are

recommending that pregnant women should receive the H1N1 vaccine as soon as
it

becomes available.

 

If you are pregnant, and develop symptoms of the flu, contact your doctor as
soon as

possible.

 

Symptoms include headache, chills and cough followed by fever, loss of
appetite,

muscle aches and fatigue, runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes and throat
irritation.

 

Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea may also occur. Antiviral medication may be

recommended for you.

 

There are specific concerns if you develop the H1N1 flu shortly before your
baby is

born. Breastfeeding and infectious disease experts are debating the best way
to protect

the newborn baby, and policies vary from one hospital to another. We do know
that

early skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby stimulates the immune
system of

the baby, and colostrum provides protection from infection and inflammatory
responses.

 

However, you might be advised not to be in contact with your baby until you
have been

on antiviral medication for 48 hours. There may be many factors involved in
making this

decision which will be a little different for each mother and baby, so if
you are given this

advice you may want to discuss all possible options with your healthcare
provider. If you

must be separated from your baby, you can pump your milk and have this given
to the

baby, who will benefit from the antibodies. Many experts agree that the H1N1
virus is

not transmitted through your milk.

 

If you are breastfeeding.

 

Breastfeeding offers your child protection from all respiratory infections
in both specific

(antibodies) and non-specific ways. If you are breastfeeding and develop
H1N1, you

may want to wear a mask while breastfeeding or holding your child. If you
cough or

sneeze, use a tissue or handkerchief then wash your hands. Don't cough or
sneeze into

your bent elbow, as some health experts recommend for other people who have
the flu,

because that puts the virus too close to where you hold a breastfeeding
baby's head.

You may be prescribed antiviral medications; these are considered compatible
with

breastfeeding.

 

If you are too sick to care for your baby, or are hospitalized, ideally the
baby would be

brought to you and helped to breastfeed. If this is not possible, you could
request help

to express your milk for the baby. If you are feeding your baby formula some
of the time,

it is recommended that you do what you can to increase the amount of human
milk your

baby is getting, in order to maximize the amount of antibodies and other
protective

factors the baby receives. Your La Leche League Leader can help you figure
out a

strategy that will work for you and your family.

 

*www.fightflu.ca (Public Health Agency of Canada)

 


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