Early antiviral therapy may be key to survival when H1N1 strikes during pregnancy

Women who start antiviral therapy more than 48 hours after the onset of symptoms of influenza are four times more likely to die or require intensive care, a new study finds

Senior Editor

You know the disturbing reality: H1N1 influenza can cause severe illness and even death in pregnant and postpartum women. Now, it appears that early antiviral therapy—within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms—can boost the likelihood of survival in this population and lower the risk that ICU care will be necessary.

That’s one of the findings of a study published January 7 in the New England Journal of Medicine.¹ The investigation, conducted by the California Pandemic (H1N1) Working Group, involved statewide surveillance of patients who were hospitalized with or died from H1N1 influenza between April 23 and August 11, 2009.