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six-year-old Texarkana boy has died at a Little Rock hospital from a suspected case of swine flu. Pulaski County Coroner Garland Camper says Diamauri Hobbs had other health problems including a compromised respiratory system.
Monday, doctors and nurses across the state were busy getting the very latest on the H1NI outbreak from the head of the OBGYN Department at UAMS. There is special concern for pregnant women and newborns.
Angela Steele is 36 weeks along, pregnant with her first baby. "I called my doctor's office to make sure they were recommending both the H1N1 and the seasonal [flu shots]," she said. "I'm nervous, I don't normally get a flu shot; I don't know how my body and hers will react to the flu shot."
Dr. Curtis Lowery says there is no reason to be nervous. Everyone, especially pregnant women, should get a seasonal flu shot and the H1N1 vaccine. "[Get the] seasonal now, H1N1 whenever it's available," said Dr. Lowery. "If you have symptoms, they need to be treated with an antiviral."
Monday, via satellite, Dr. Lowery provided the latest swine flu information to doctors and nurses across the state. He's especially concerned about pregnant women and newborns.
Right now four pregnant women diagnosed with H1N1 the swine flu are being treated at UAMS. Dr. Lowery says the worst isn't over. "One of them was very ill. We didn't think she was going to make it, so it's very serious. We need to address it in a very serious fashion."
Dr. Lowery says often pregnant women are not being properly treated when they see a doctor. "These women are being seen with symptoms and they are not being treated with Tamiflu which helps decrease the severity of the illness with pregnant patients."
Dr. Lowery says aside from pregnant women, it's very important for all healthcare workers to get the seasonal flu shot and the H1N1 vaccine. If they don't, patients are at risk. Doctors say it's also important for all family members of a pregnant woman to get vaccinated.
