Confusing swine flu advice for mums-to-be
Updated on 19 July 2009
Avoid crowds and unnecessary travel - or just act on common sense? There is conflicting advice for pregnant women on how they should protect themselves against swine flu.
The Royal College of Midwives has said expectant mothers should avoid crowded places - but the Department of Health has just reissued existing advice to practise good hygiene.
Concerns have risen since a second pregnant British woman with the virus died last week.
The National Childbirth Trust has been accused of scaremongering after it suggested women should delay getting pregnant until after the pandemic is over.
Meanwhile, British Airways has told check in staff to look out for passengers with symptoms of swine flu, who could then be stopped from boarding.
The airline said there had been a "very small number of cases" of people displaying signs of the virus who had been advised not to travel after advice from medical experts.
Virgin Atlantic said people suffering from swine flu would not be allowed to fly without a medical certificate.
And four more British schoolchildren on a trip to China have been diagnosed with swine flu.
Eight children are now being treated in hospital in Beijing, while more than 50 fellow pupils and teachers are quarantined inside a hotel.
