# 3413
This is something we’ve discussed before, the additional risk factors that pregnancy can present with influenza. Already we’ve seen a number of deaths, of both mothers and the child they were carrying, from the H1N1 virus.
Today we get a stark warning from the Chief Public Health Officer of Canada, urging pregnant women to avoid crowds where they might be exposed to the flu virus.
This from the Canwest News Service.
Chief health officer warns pregnant women of flu risk
By Sharon Kirkey, Canwest News ServiceJune 30, 2009 10:31 AM
Pregnant women and those with underlying risk conditions, such as chronic heart or lung disease, should avoid crowds to reduce the risk of being exposed to human swine flu, federal health officials said Monday.
Canada's chief public health officer says there is no evidence to suggest pregnant women are at greater risk of contracting the H1N1 influenza A virus. But, if they do become ill, pregnant women — especially those in the third trimester — are at higher risk of serious complications.
As women get closer to their due dates, their immune systems change, making them more vulnerable to serious illness — not just from influenza, but from other infections as well, Dr. David Butler-Jones said. That can put stress on the fetus, and, in rare cases, increase the risk of an early birth or fetal death.
"It is very important for pregnant women to take precautions to help prevent infection in the first place and to seek medical advice if they do develop influenza-like illness," he said in a media call Monday.
"People with underlying risk conditions and pregnant women should consider avoiding crowds to reduce the risk of exposure to the virus," he added.
"You need to be practical about getting on with life," Butler-Jones said. But he said pregnant women should avoid situations where they would be close to crowds for prolonged periods.
Dr. David Butler-Jones goes on to discuss the small, but growing number of serious cases they are seeing in Canada, and the need to stress hygiene and prevention.
"The message of prevention is critical, at school, camp, daycare, home or at work," Butler-Jones said. "That means washing hands, coughing or sneezing into your arm and avoiding others when we're ill. Not just today, not just for this outbreak, but always."
One has to wonder, given the warnings we’ve now seen from the CDC, and now Canadian Public Health Officials, how many hospitals, schools, and day care centers have advised their pregnant employees of the risks of exposure and have offered alternative work to them?
My concern is, for far too many institutions, the policy right now is `don’t ask, don’t tell’.
