Swine flu and pregnancy

Abstract

Novel influenza A (H1N1) (H1N1 2009 influenza virus) or 'swine flu' has been identified as the cause of a widespread outbreak of respiratory infection worldwide. Based on experience from previous influenza pandemics, pregnant women are thought to be at a higher risk of contracting swine flu and developing complications. This review summarises the contemporaneous literature and advice on the management of swine flu in pregnancy in the UK, including the recent joint Department of Health and Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists' guidelines (October 2009).