Swine flu or infection by the H1N1 influenza virus reached pandemic proportions in 2009 and it is believed that a large number of seasonal flu cases in 2010 may be the swine flu. This may persist for years to come. Although specific antiviral agents and vaccines have been able to control the epidemic to a significant degree, the danger is not entirely over.

Swine flu is a highly contagious viral infection which produces flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, sore throat, cough, headache and body aches. Although the entire population is at risk, certain groups of people are in more danger of contracting the disease as well as having more severe complications once they do get the disease.

Pregnant women fall under this high-risk group and complications as well as deaths have occurred, especially in the third trimester (last 3 months) of pregnancy. It could be that pregnant women are particularly at risk because their normal immune mechanism is suppressed during pregnancy, making them more vulnerable, and so more likely to get a severe form of the disease.