Pregnant woman dies of swine flu complications

Pregnant woman dies of swine flu complications

BELGRADE -- A five-month pregnant woman has died in the Clinical Center of Serbia (KBS) where she was treated for the H1N1 flu virus, the clinic's director has confirmed.

Dr. Mijomir Pelemis told the daily Politika that the 33-year-old died despite the efforts to save her.

He explained that the woman sought medical help seven days after the flu symptoms exhibited, and was immediately connected to a ventilator.

A week ago, a 34-year-old man from Uzice in western Serbia also died of swine flu. He was treated at Belgrade's military clinic VMA.

Pelemis said that KBC's clinic for infectious diseases currently has no other flu patients in a serious condition, but noted that they previously had such patients.

The doctor observed that while there is no flu epidemic in Serbia this year, most of those who have contracted the disease are exhibiting serious symptoms, and added that this shows that very few people in Serbia receive flu vaccines, "although it is the only reliable protection."

Pelemis said that pregnant women, patients with chronic diseases, and small children are most at risk, and advised anyone with flu symptoms to see their doctor without delay. The symptoms that should prompt people to seek medical help include fever over 39 degrees Celsius, joint pain and general fatigue, he explained.

Currently, three more H1N1 patients are in a serious condition and connected to ventilators at the Infective Diseases Clinic in the town of Kragujevac, central Serbia.