23,33,34 There are fewer data available on zanamivir. In 1 report, 3 women were exposed to zanamivir during pregnancy: 1 suffered a miscarriage, 1 had an elective pregnancy termination, and 1 delivered a healthy baby.35 meantime Treatment should ideally be started as soon as possible after the onset of symptoms because the benefit of antiviral medications is greatest if started within 48 hours of symptom onset. However, studies on antiviral use in seasonal flu have shown some benefit for hospitalized patients even if started after 48 hours.2 In addition to specific antiviral medications, acetaminophen should be given if the patient is febrile.2 Isolation Patients with suspected pandemic H1N1 should wear a facemask and be placed in an isolated room away from providers and other hospitalized patients.

If pandemic H1N1 infection is confirmed, contact precautions (gown and gloves) should be added. If aerosolization of droplets is possible (eg, while the patient is receiving a nebulizer treatment or being intubated), goggles should be worn. Symptomatic patients should be placed on droplet precautions (including gowns, gloves, and N95 respirators), although most hospitals will only require droplet precautions for confirmed cases of novel H1N1. Due to the pandemic nature of the disease, patients do not need to be placed in negative-pressure rooms.2,4 If a pregnant patient delivers while infected with H1N1, she should be separated from her infant immediately after delivery. She should avoid close contact with her infant until she has been on antiviral medications for at least 48 hours, her fevers have resolved, and she can control her coughing and secretions.

After this initial period of isolation, she should continue to practice good hand hygiene and cough etiquette, and wear a facemask for the next 7 days.2,4 Prophylaxis Postexposure prophylaxis should be considered for pregnant women with close contacts who have suspected or confirmed H1N1. Two regimens are recommended: zanamivir (10 mg inhaled daily) or oseltamivir (75 mg daily by mouth). Although zanamivir may be the drug of choice due to its limited systemic absorption, an inhaled route of administration may not be tolerated, especially in women with underlying respiratory disease such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In this setting, oseltamivir is a reasonable alternative.

Chemoprophylaxis should probably GSK-3 be continued for 10 days after the last known exposure, but may need to be extended at the discretion of the obstetric care provider in settings where multiple exposures are likely to occur (such as within households). Close monitoring for symptoms of influenza is recommended.2 Breastfeeding The risk of transmission of novel H1N1 through breast milk is unknown. However, since reports of viremia with seasonal flu are rare, it seems highly unlikely that the H1N1 virus will cross into breast milk.