Pregnant women are especially at risk for complications from the H1N1 flu virus and shouldn't hesitate to use antiviral drugs if they even think they might be infected, doctors at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say.
Health officials are investigating 20 cases of infected pregnant women, several of whom had severe complications, says the CDC's Anne Schuchat. One of those pregnant woman -- teacher Judy Trunnell, 33, of Harlingen, Texas -- died May 5.
The CDC has confirmed 3,009 cases and three deaths in 45 states and the District of Columbia as of Tuesday. The World Health Organization is reporting 5,251 confirmed cases in 30 countries.
Flu complications in pregnancy include pneumonia, dehydration and preterm labor, Schuchat says. Treatments include such drugs as oseltamivir, sold as Tamiflu, and zanamivir, sold as Relenza, she says.
To see more of USAToday.com, or to subscribe, go to http://www.usatoday.com
Copyright 2009 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc.