Yep, I’m down with swine! (ok, H1N1) 
Well, my doctor just confirms a positive flu test. There is no official swine flu testing unless you send it away to some super secret location. So they just stamped my file as “Swiney”, gave me my drugs, and sent me on my way.
At which time I took my 34 week pregnant self and googled “pregnant and swine flu”, which I definitely do NOT recommend. Yes, pregnant women are at greater risk and having complications but that doesn’t mean EVERYONE. (can you cross your fingers and toes that it doesn’t become me? thanks!)
So what are the flu symptoms to be on the watch for? Here is some information from the March Of Dimes website:
The symptoms of H1N1 flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular seasonal flu. They include:
- Fever (however, some people with flu may not have a fever)
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Body aches
- Headache
- Chills
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
Often symptoms come on very quickly.
If anything gets worse, you MUST call your doctor ASAP! Worse meaning:
For Infants and Children
- Fast breathing or trouble breathing
- Bluish skin color
- Not drinking enough fluids
- Not waking up or interacting
- Being so irritable that the child doesn’t want to be held
- Fever with a rash
- Flu-like symptoms improve, but then come back with fever and worse cough
For Adults
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Pain or pressure in the chest or belly
- Sudden dizziness
- Confusion
- Severe vomiting
- Vomiting that goes on and on
- A high fever that is not responding to acetaminophen
So why are pregnant women more at risk?
Lower Immune System
During pregnancy, your immune system isn’t as quick to respond as it was before pregnancy. Part of this is because your body is carrying something that it considers foreign and isn’t normally part of you (in this case, your baby). Usually when this happens, the immune system wants to protect you and will do its best to fight off this foreign object. But, since your body doesn’t want to reject your baby, it naturally lowers the immune system’s ability to defend and respond. But, a lowered immune system means you’re more defenseless against illnesses like the flu.Time Spent Around Small Children
Pregnant women often spend much time around little children. And since kids spend so much time with other kids, often get close to one another and are always putting things in their mouths, this makes them perfect carriers of germs and bacteria. These germs can eventually make their way to you. And remember, your immune system during pregnancy isn’t as tough as it is when you’re not pregnant.Body Working Overtime
During pregnancy, especially in your second and third trimesters, you need more oxygen than before because you’re supplying it to both you and baby. Your growing belly puts more pressure on your lungs, making them work harder in a smaller space. You may even find yourself feeling some shortness of breath at times. Your heart is working very hard, too! It’s busy supplying blood to you and baby. All of this means your body is stressed during pregnancy. This stress on your body can increase your risk of getting an illness like the flu.
So there is some important information for you to digest. Be sure to protect yourself as best you can and if you think you have ANY of the symptoms, please see your doctor ASAP.
The H1N1 vaccine is not really available in my area yet and now I’m on the fence about getting it. (Have I built up natural immunity already?)
What about you? Are you getting vaccinated? Why or why not?
Meanwhile, I am crawling back into bed……can you please go and be active FOR me? Thanks!
photo credit: giant mice kill rabbits
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October 20th, 2009 at 2:49 pm 1
Oh no! I hope you have a mild experience like I had a couple of weeks ago. Although the fatigue has stayed extra long. LOTS of fluids made a big difference for me. Head’s up. Hope you’re back in shape soon.
@myflydays
Wendy aka CalvaryGirl´s last blog ..Drunkest Guy Ever Goes for More Beer
October 20th, 2009 at 2:55 pm 2
How awful. I never thought about pregnant women being at greater risk because of lowered immune response. I hope start feeling better soon!
@dawnmphoto
October 20th, 2009 at 3:11 pm 3
Oh no! Take good care of yourself. Rest rest rest and more rest!
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October 20th, 2009 at 3:43 pm 4
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October 20th, 2009 at 4:24 pm 5
I hope you’ll feel better soon!
October 20th, 2009 at 5:42 pm 6
You poor thing! I’ll be keeping good thoughts for you.
We’ll get the kids vaccinated. I’ve decided to get my regular flu shot. I don’t think the H1N1 is available yet for healthy adults.
Here’s to a quick recovery!
October 20th, 2009 at 6:38 pm 7
Sending prayers your way. I’m so sorry to hear that swine flu caught you. I hope you get well soon without any complications too. ((hugs))
October 20th, 2009 at 9:33 pm 8
Wow, make sure you take good care of yourself. You are almost there, with a healthy baby:)
October 20th, 2009 at 11:04 pm 9
Oh girl, I feel your pain! I’m due in 2 weeks (!!) and all my kids have H1N1 (swine) flu. We’re all on all the drugs we can possibly be on and I’m hoping against hope I don’t get it too. I hope you are getting some good rest and that you have someone there to help you out! Feel better soon!!
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October 21st, 2009 at 1:19 am 10
oh no! I hope you’re better soon!!
October 21st, 2009 at 6:16 am 11
xo xo.
seriously.
and I wish we were neighbors.
but I always wish that.
MizFit´s last blog ..National Love Your Body Day (giveaway post).
October 21st, 2009 at 8:12 am 12
I’m keeping my fingers crossed for you! Like being pregnant isn’t hard or stressful enough, right? I hope you’re feeling better soon!
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October 21st, 2009 at 9:43 am 13
Hope you feel better soon!
October 21st, 2009 at 11:03 am 14
Take care.
October 21st, 2009 at 11:44 am 15
Ack! Feel better! One of the reasons (not a major one, but still) that I got out of teaching middle school was the sheer amount of exposure I was getting to sick kids. Hope you feel better soon!
October 21st, 2009 at 5:48 pm 16
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October 22nd, 2009 at 12:45 am 17
Oh noes! Take care of yourself and get better soon!!
Mary :: A Merry Life´s last blog ..Exposed: Why I Love My Body
October 22nd, 2009 at 4:26 pm 18
Please feel better soon!!
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October 24th, 2009 at 8:14 am 19
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October 24th, 2009 at 2:34 pm 20
hope you are feeling better. i have a friend here who is preggo and has H1N1 too, she is hanging in there though.
three boys and counting´s last blog ..Fight the Frump Friday-This is A True Story
October 25th, 2009 at 10:25 am 21
Ugh. I hope you’re feeling better by now!
Stimey´s last blog .."I Don’t Know…Some Zombie Thing…"
October 28th, 2009 at 1:43 am 22
So sorry, Lisa! Being sick is miserable, but being pregnant AND sick is ten times worse. I hope you’re rested up and recovered in no time.
Thinking of you,
Stephanie
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October 31st, 2009 at 5:51 am 23
so sorry for u.
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November 2nd, 2009 at 8:13 pm 24
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November 4th, 2009 at 7:39 am 25
Hope you feel better soon!
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