Special Report: World Tackles A/H1N1 Flu >>
Pregnant women are at higher risk for A/H1N1 flu because pregnancy weakens a woman's immune system, according to doctors at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In general, flu poses added risks for a pregnant woman and pregnancy weakens her immune system, so she's more likely to suffer pneumonia when she catches the flu," said Dr. Anne Schuchat of the CDC Tuesday.
Dr Schuchat said pregnant women shouldn't hesitate to use antiviral drugs if they even think they might be infected.
So far, some 20 pregnant women have contracted H1N1 virus now confirmed in more than 6,000 around the world. Three deaths have been confirmed in the United States. One of the three was a Texas woman who was pregnant. Her baby was delivered via Caesarean section while she was hospitalized.
Pregnant women with asthma and some other health conditions are particularly at risk for complications.
Risks from the virus are greater than the unknown risks to the fetus from the drugs Tamiflu and Relenza, Schuchat said at a press conference.
"We really want to get the word out about the likely benefits of prompt antiviral treatment," for pregnant women, she said. CDC officials recommend Tamiflu for pregnant women.
Flu complications in pregnancy include pneumonia, dehydration and preterm labor, Dr Schuchat said. Treatments include such drugs as oseltamivir, sold as Tamiflu, and zanamivir, sold as Relenza.