What should I do if I or people close to me catch swine flu before I have the vaccine?

If you are pregnant and you think you or people close to you have swine flu, it’s important to contact your doctor, who can advise you on what to do next. If you are diagnosed with swine flu, you may be offered an antiviral medicine.

What is the difference between an antiviral and a vaccine?

A vaccine is given to prevent someone from catching an infection. The body’s immune system then makes antibodies which will fight off infection if exposure to the virus occurs. People who are already ill with swine  flu are treated with antivirals. Antivirals may help relieve some of the symptoms of swine flu and reduce the potential for serious complications.

Which antiviral will I be given?

Two antiviral medicines (Relenza and Tamiflu) are recommended for pregnant women who have an uncomplicated illness due to swine flu and who do not have an underlying disease. Relenza is breathed in using an inhaler and is recommended as the first choice for pregnant women because it easily reaches the throat and lungs, where it is needed. It does not reach significant levels in the blood or placenta, and should not affect your pregnancy
or your growing baby.

Tamiflu should be offered to you instead of Relenza if you:

• have a condition such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• have difficulty using an inhaler, or
• develop a severe or complicated disease due to flu (you will probably
  be treated in hospital).

If you are prescribed antiviral medication, it’s important to start taking it as soon as possible.

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What should I do now?

You should be invited to go to a vaccination clinic or to make an appointment at your GP surgery. Not everyone in the country will get their vaccine at exactly the same time, so don’t worry if you don’t hear from your GP surgery straightaway. However, if after a few weeks you still haven’t heard anything, get in touch with your GP surgery.

If you are pregnant and think you have swine flu

• In England

  Contact your GP People who are not in higher risk groups should visit www.direct.gov.uk/swineflu or call the National Pandemic Flu Service: 0800 1 513 100 Textphone: 0800 1 513 200 (for people who are deaf or hard of hearing)

• In Scotland

  Contact your GP or NHS24: 08454 24 24 24 Textphone: 18001 08454 24 24 24 (for people who are deaf or hard of hearing)

• In Wales

  Contact your GP or call NHS Direct Wales: 0845 46 47 Textphone:
  0845 606 46 47 (for people who are deaf or hard of hearing)

• In Northern Ireland

  Contact your GP or the Northern Ireland swine flu helpline: 0800
  0514 142 Textphone: 18001 0800 0514 142 (for people who are deaf or
  hard of hearing) Calling NHS24 should cost no more than the price
  of a local telephone call from a BT landline.

Calls to NHS Direct Wales cost a maximum of 2p per minute from most BT landlines. Calls to all other numbers here are free from landlines. Calls from mobiles and other networks may vary – please check with your provider.

For more information about swine flu and pregnancy Visit www.direct.gov.uk/swineflu