2 new moms in Bay Area die from swine flu; concern raised about risk for pregnant women

[depakid]

Source: San Jose Mercury

Swine-flu virus has claimed the lives of two Bay Area women who recently gave birth, adding to the growing body of evidence that pregnancy puts women at increased risk of flu-related hospitalization and death. News of the deaths comes as the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that pregnant women be among the first to receive a vaccine, when it's available. The CDC also urges that anti-viral drugs like Tamiflu or Relenza be quickly administered to pregnant women with suspected influenza.

Pregnancy changes both the lung capacity and immunology of women, making it harder for them to fend off respiratory infections. But while health officials are urging quicker response, they say vigilance and common sense can reduce the risk of infection. "The most important thing is hand hygiene: soap and water, or alcohol-based products," said Dr. Steven Parodi, regional chief of infectious disease with Kaiser Permanente, which was not involved in either death.

In Marin County, 33-year-old Jamie Norman was hospitalized in June with flu symptoms and gave birth to her son nearly two months early. She was able to hold Jack, her first child, but died June 30. In Alameda County, the coroner's office confirmed this week that Hayward resident Nicole Savoy, 33, died July 12 of pneumonia due to the virus. She had given birth June 15 and was released to go home the following day, but began to feel sick a few days later. On June 21, she returned to the hospital, where she remained until she died July 12 of pneumonia caused by the virus.

The CDC has details on 266 of the 305 U.S. swine-flu deaths reported as of July 29. Fifteen of these 266 deaths — about 6 percent — were among pregnant women. At any time, only 1 percent of the general population is pregnant.

Read more: http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_12952961?source=most_viewed

[Chemisse]

1. How very sad.

I wish this flu targeted the elderly like the typical flu. At least they've already lived their lives and raised their children.

[Blandocyte]

2. A tad ghoulish, that.

My mother died at an "elderly" age and was definitely not ready to go ! She had raised children but wanted much more time to enjoy their company; she had not "already lived her life."

I wish this flu targeted insensitivity.

[TommyO]

3. How about wishing we had the right treatment so nobody would die from it?

[Pool Hall Ace]

4. What?? The elderly have "already lived their lives?"

I would say that the elderly are STILL alive. Death from the flu is tragic regardless of age.

[Chemisse]

5. Let me put it this way

My daughter is thinking of becoming pregnant again, possibly this fall. Coincidentally, she lives in the Bay Area. I am frightened for her. I would MUCH prefer that my life was in danger from the swine flu than her life.

[FlaGranny]

6. Well, thanks, I appreciate (not)

your disregard for the rest of my life, which, although I am nearly 70, I hope lasts another 25-30 years at least. I make contributions to liberal causes, still work, still pay taxes, and still contribute to society.

Edit: After reading your response, when you put it that way, I understand, but COME ON, you don't need to put it THAT way and say you "wish" older people got the flu instead of younger people. Poor choice of words.

I am certain that the reason older people are not getting this flu is that they are partially immune from having a similar virus in the past. I've had a few pretty wicked flu illnesses in the past.

[Chemisse]

7. Yeah, that was clearly insensitive of me to put it that way

I do think a lot of people would agree with me however, if it was a choice between themselves and their child.

[dixiegrrrrl]

10. errrr..how old is "elderly" to you?

I will wait for your answer while I try to perfect my formula for retroactive birth control for the truly stoopid.

[Chemisse]

17. I am really surprised you would rather see your children die

[CountAllVotes]

11. what a disgusting thing to say

you are nothing more than a complete selfish pig. :puke:

[Chemisse]

18. Tell me exactly why it is selfish for me to prefer to be in danger myself

As opposed to my children?

[kiva]

20. That wasn't what you said in your original post.

"I wish this flu targeted the elderly like the typical flu. At least they've already lived their lives and raised their children."

'They've lived their lives' and 'raised their children'. Nothing about your willingness to sacrifice yourself for your children, just a blanket statement that the elderly (as defined by whom?) have lived their lives so what the hell, let them die.

[Chemisse]

21. Here is what I said:

There was no 'what the hell, let them die' - that was how you and others interpreted it. So I clarified pretty quickly, saying:

"My daughter is thinking of becoming pregnant again, possibly this fall. Coincidentally, she lives in the Bay Area. I am frightened for her. I would MUCH prefer that my life was in danger from the swine flu than her life."

Then, in post #7, I conceded that it was insensitive of me to put it that way (in my original post, since one person responding had recently lost an elderly mother), adding, "I do think a lot of people would agree with me however, if it was a choice between themselves and their child."

Yet you and several others STILL criticized me, calling me disgusting and stupid, and suggesting I would go along with a plot to kill old people.

I find that just totally weird. I know I am not the only person out there who would wish harm on myself before my children. It's a fairly basic instinct.

[Mira]

12. You're already living to regret you ever said that. I see it happening as I type.

We need to have a beer together.
(By the way, to some, I'm elderly)

[Chemisse]

19. And you would sacrifice your children before putting yourself in danger?

I seriously do not understand the outrage. I did not say I wanted all old people to die, and yet that is the reaction I have received.

I said I would prefer the elderly be at risk for the flu, since they have already lived most of their lives, rather than young people such as pregnant young mothers. While I am middle-aged still, not elderly, I include myself in that philosophy. I would heartily nominate myself for vulnerability to the flu - if ever we had control over such things - instead of risking having my kids get it. They are young adults are are just getting out in the world. I know I would be missed, but it would be far more tragic for them to die.

So rather than tell me I am disgusting, in some knee-jerk emotional reaction, tell me why you disagree, why you would rather have young people's lives at risk than your own.

[doodadem]

14. A Democratic Plot!

A Democratic Plot to kill old people!

(Reference the Rachel Maddow Show the past few days........)

[Generator]

22. Uh oh

Someone is apparently "with the government". Watch out granny-they are coming!

[Devil_Fish]

23. I wish this flu targeted GOP politicians. NT

On edit: My mom votes GOP so maby I shouldn't have included GOP voters.

[fasttense]

8. And the anti-choice religiously insane would like you to believe

that pregnancy and carrying a fetus to full term is not dangerous to the mother's life.

[truthisfreedom]

9. Hmm. If this was an x-files episode...

Fox's hair would be rising on the back of his neck, and Scully would be researching why the government wants to use swine flu as an excuse to inject pregnant women with an unknown substance. I'm just sayin'.

[Demeter]

13. I Share Your Concern

So if a woman doesn't die from influenza in the throes of pregnancy, what happens to the fetus? Autism, perhaps? There is a suspicion that influenza is a trigger.

A vaccine might also be a trigger, then, if it's done poorly or stupidly.

[Devil_Fish]

24. totaly. H1N1 is a manufactured Bio Wepon. what is Dick trying to pull? NT

[gratuitous]

15. This is why we "socialize" and "ration" health care

The people most vulnerable to an opportunistic contagion are the first in line for the vaccine, of which there is never enough (it takes a while to synthesize the vaccine, and with the mutations of viruses like influenza, you can't plan an efficacious vaccine in advance). Also, it's not a good idea from a public health standpoint to vaccinate everyone even if you could, as the flu virus might mutate into a vaccine-resistant form, and wreak even greater havoc.

It's the same idea of guarding against terrorist attacks. We could probably configure our society for greater safety from terrorist attacks. But it would be very expensive, very annoying, and ultimately it wouldn't be proof against all attacks; a dedicated attacker unconcerned about surviving the attack can almost always find a way through.

[FlaGranny]

16. Read in the local paper that

school children will be immunized first because they are the most vulnerable and when kids are immunized it slows down the rate of spread among the rest of the population. Pregnant women would also be the highest priority.