1) What is swine flu?
Swine flu is a viral disease caused by the A (H1N1) type virus. It is transmitted between people through sneezing and coughing. The virus can also be transmitted if the hands touch the mouth and nose after touching a place infected with the flu virus. This virus is not transmitted by eating pork.
The reason why this disease is called swine flu is because it is very similar to the flu viruses seen among pigs. This virus is considered a mixture of human, pig and bird viruses. It develops with symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue, weakness, chills, body aches, headache, just like the normal flu disease seen in humans. This disease can be detected with swab samples taken from the nose and throat.
2) Swine flu treatment
The swine flu vaccine (2009 H1N1 flu vaccine) has been available in Turkey since October 2009. This vaccine is a dead vaccine. It does not contain live viruses. Antiviral drugs are used to treat people who have contracted the disease. Normal flu vaccines do not provide any protection against this disease. For this reason, experts recommend that both the normal and swine flu vaccines be administered. These two vaccines should be administered on the same day, in different arms.
3) Swine flu and swine flu vaccine in pregnant women
Pregnant people are at higher risk from swine flu than other people. Expectant mothers are the first group to get the swine flu vaccine. Because swine flu is more likely to pose a risk to pregnant people. Similarly, women who have just given birth and are in the postpartum group are at high risk for this virus, just like pregnant women. Another issue that should not be forgotten is that the swine flu vaccine is as reliable as the regular flu vaccine. Side effects have been observed in people with mild effects caused by the vaccine. It is not known for sure whether the swine flu vaccine has any harm on pregnant women since it has not been tested yet. There is no harm in getting the regular seasonal flu vaccine in pregnant women, and it is even recommended that expectant mothers get this vaccine. Although the swine flu vaccine (2009 H1N1 flu vaccine) has not been tested sufficiently, it is thought that it does not pose any harm to expectant mothers and breastfeeding women like the regular flu vaccine. The swine flu vaccine, like the regular seasonal flu vaccine, can be given at any time during pregnancy. Only 1 dose of the vaccine should be administered during pregnancy.
4) The effect of swine flu on pregnancy
Since the body's immune system weakens during pregnancy, the risk of catching infectious diseases and the risk of having a severe one also increases. Having swine flu during pregnancy will cause dehydration, which brings with it the risk of premature birth. Apart from the risk of premature birth, there is no possibility of anomalies or disabilities in the baby according to current studies.
The risk of breastfeeding mothers who have swine flu (influenza A (H1N1)) transmitting the virus to their babies through breast milk is not yet known. However, in order to minimize the risk of transmitting the virus to the baby, precautions such as washing hands frequently and abundantly, wearing a mask, and paying attention to cleanliness and hygiene should be taken. Mothers who have swine flu or regular flu can continue to breastfeed their babies.
5) What should be done to reduce the risk of swine flu infection?
In order to minimize this risk;
Avoid kissing people cheek to cheek or shaking hands as much as possible.
Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly.
Be careful to use hand sanitizers containing alcohol
Remember to wash your hands before touching your face, eyes, mouth and nose.
Avoid close contact with people you know are sick
Be careful to use tissue paper when coughing and sneezing.
Try to be outdoors more
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