Pregnant women with persistent flu symptoms should seek care early, Delhi doctor says

Pregnant women with persistent fever or worsening flu symptoms should speak to their treating doctor early rather than dismissing them as a routine seasonal illness, said Dr Bimalpreet Mohan, a radiologist and women’s health specialist at Capital Health Clinic in Hauz Khas.

H1N1 can begin like other viral infections, with fever, headache, body ache, chills, sore throat, cough and fatigue. Dr Mohan said the key is whether symptoms are improving or deteriorating.

She advised medical evaluation for persistent or high fever with marked weakness, a worsening cough or breathing difficulty. Breathlessness, chest discomfort, dizziness, confusion, dehydration and a significant drop in oxygen saturation are further warning signs.

Pregnant women, young children, older adults, and people with asthma, chronic lung disease, heart disease, diabetes, kidney problems or weakened immunity face a higher risk of complications. Not every fever needs an H1N1 test, she said; clinicians may recommend a nasal or nasopharyngeal swab, including RT-PCR, when the result would affect treatment or further management.

Delhi’s reported H1N1 tally reached 2,612 on August 28, as cases continued to rise.