Influenza-Associated Deaths: Pregnancy-Associated

Infectious agent:  Influenza virus

Description of illness: “Classic” influenza disease is characterized by the abrupt onset of fever, myalgia, sore throat, nonproductive cough, and headache. The fever is usually 101°–102°F. Additional symptoms may include runny nose, headache, substernal chest burning, and eye pain and sensitivity to light; a minority of cases may have gastrointestinal symptoms.

Influenza is primarily transmitted from person to person via large respiratory droplets from infected person’s cough or sneeze which then settle on the mucosal surfaces of the upper respiratory tracts of susceptible persons who are near (<= 3 feet) infected persons. Transmission may also occur through contact with surfaces contaminated with influenza virus and then touching the eyes, nose or mouth.