Information for Specific Groups

H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu): Information for Specific Groups

Pregnant Women

What if I get this new virus and I am pregnant?

We don’t know if this virus will cause pregnant women to have a greater chance of getting sick or have serious problems. We also do not know how this virus will affect the baby. We do know that pregnant women are more likely to get sick than others and have more serious problems with seasonal flu. These problems may include early labor or severe pneumonia. We don’t know if this virus will do the same, but it should be taken very seriously.

What can I do to protect myself, my baby and my family?

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, or sneeze into your sleeve. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
Wash your hands often with soap and warm water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based gel hand cleaners are also good to use.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
Try to avoid close contact with sick people. (If you are pregnant and you live or have close contact with someone who has H1N1 flu, talk to your doctor about medicines to prevent flu
Have a plan to care for sick family members.
Stock up on household, health, and emergency supplies, such as water, Tylenol®, non-perishable foods.

Adults with HIV Infection

Are people with HIV/AIDS at greater risk than other people of infection with H1N1 flu?

At the present time, we have no information about the risk of the novel H1N1 flu in people with HIV/AIDS. In the past, people with HIV/AIDS have not appeared to be at any greater risk than the general population for infection with routine seasonal influenza. However, HIV-infected adults and adolescents, and especially persons with low CD4 cell counts or AIDS, can experience more severe complications of seasonal influenza. It is therefore possible that HIV-infected adults and adolescents are also at higher risk for complications from infection with the H1N1 flu virus.

What can people with HIV/AIDS do to protect themselves from H1N1 flu?

Wash your hands often (or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer* if soap and water aren’t available)
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with your hands – germs spread this way
Try to avoid close contact with sick people

People with Diabetes

What should I do when I am sick?

Be sure to continue taking your diabetes pills or insulin. Don’t stop taking them even if you can’t eat. Your health care provider may even advise you to take more insulin during sickness.
Test your blood glucose every four hours, and keep track of the results.
Drink extra (calorie-free) liquids, and try to eat as you normally would. If you can’t, try to have soft foods and liquids containing the equivalent amount of carbohydrates that you usually consume.
Weigh yourself every day. Losing weight without trying is a sign of high blood glucose.
Check your temperature every morning and evening. A fever may be a sign of infection.

Call your health care provider or go to an emergency room if any of the following happen to you:

You feel too sick to eat normally and are unable to keep down food for more than 6 hours.
You're having severe diarrhea.
You lose 5 pounds or more.
Your temperature is over 101 degrees F.
Your blood glucose is lower than 60 mg/dL or remains over 300 mg/dL.
You're having trouble breathing.
You feel sleepy or can't think clearly.

People With Heart Disease

H1N1 Flu and Patients With Cardiovascular Disease

Patients with chronic cardiovascular disease and cerebrovascular disease (CVD) are at increased risk of experiencing an acute exacerbation of disease during influenza epidemics. (1-7)
Patients with CVD risk factors such as hypertension, smoking, obesity, and family history of premature heart disease might be considered for priority care over healthy individuals but not before health care providers, the very young, elderly people, and the ill. (8)
Health care providers should be aware that influenza might produce increased numbers of cardiovascular events, leading to increased hospitalizations and use of resources to treat acute coronary events, heart failure, and stroke. (9-11)
Consideration should be given for having adequate supplies of commonly used cardiovascular medications for prevention and treatment of cardiovascular events. (8)