Update Swine flu and pregnancy

whuang

Please find the letter from Prof Oats regarding swine flu and pregnant

whuang

附件, pdf file (127k) over the limit. Here is the text

Department of Human Services
Incorporating: Health, Community Services, Mental Health, Senior Victorians and Housing 50 Lonsdale St
GPO Box 4057
Melbourne Victoria 3001
DX210081
www.dhs.vic.gov.au
Telephone: 1300 650 172
Facsimile: 1300 785 859

22 July 2009
Dear Doctor,
Pandemic H1N1 influenza 2009 and pregnant women
I am writing to you regarding current concerns about the risk of influenza in pregnancy. Pregnant
women are known to be at higher risk of complications from infection with seasonal influenza viruses,
which is why they are recommended to receive seasonal influenza vaccine if they will be in the second or
third trimester during the influenza season. Cases of confirmed pandemic H1N1 influenza 2009 infection
in pregnant women resulting in severe disease continue to be reported. Of the first 70 cases admitted to
ICU in Victoria for which clinical data is available, there were 36 females, of whom 10 presented during
pregnancy.
The antiviral agents oseltamivir and zanamivir are “pregnancy category B1” medications, indicating that
these drugs have only been taken by a limited number of pregnant women, but without an increase in
the frequency of malformation or other direct or indirect harmful effects on the fetus having been
observed. Studies in animals have not shown evidence of an increased risk of fetal damage. No specific
studies have been conducted to assess the safety of these medications for pregnant women.
As with any prescription of medication, the use of antiviral agents in pregnancy should only be where the
risk of illness outweighs any potential risk to the woman or fetus.
Pregnancy should not be considered a contra-indication for antiviral use. Because of its systemic activity,
oseltamivir is preferred for use in pregnant women. The dosage of oseltamivir is the same as the
standard adult dose, ie 75 mg twice daily for five days for treatment, and 75 mg once daily for ten days
for prophylaxis. Treatment should generally only be commenced if within 48 hours of symptom onset,
but you may consider its use later for severe disease.
Pregnant women should be advised to contact their doctor immediately should they develop an influenza
like illness. If a pregnant woman is a household contact of a confirmed case of pandemic H1N1 2009
influenza, free Tamiflu for use as prophylaxis is available through community pharmacies, as listed on
www.guild.org.au/vic. If you require any further information, please contact the Communicable Disease
Prevention and Control Unit on 1300 651 160 (office hours) or 1300 790 733 (after hours).
Yours sincerely

DR JOHN CARNIE
Chief Health Officer

Prof Jeremy Oats
Director Maternity Newborn Clinical Network and
chair of Consultative Council on Obstetric &
Paediatric Mortality & Morbidity

[ 本帖最后由 whuang 于 2009-7-22 20:01 编辑 ]

whuang

Now I got 布鞋, so I can upload the pdf file