The family of a 20-year-old woman who died of swine flu shortly after giving birth has criticised hospital staff for failing to diagnose the virus sooner. Sarah Howard, from Blackley, went into labour at North Manchester General Hospital on 5 December while suffering flu-like symptoms.
She gave birth to son Harry but suffered multiple organ failure about 24 hours later and died on 18 December. Her family said she had headaches, sickness and a painful chest when admitted, but was not diagnosed with H1N1 until after being transferred to Glenfield Hospital in Leicester for specialist treatment.
Her father Mark Howard questioned why swine flu was not picked up earlier, saying: 'If they don't know what the symptoms are, how is Joe Public supposed to know?' The family also criticised the lack of vaccination advice, noting she was not offered the swine flu vaccine by her GP despite Department of Health guidance for pregnant women.
Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust expressed condolences and said it was happy to discuss any aspect of care with the family. The Department of Health stated that the chief medical officer had written to GPs in May advising them to offer pregnant women the seasonal flu vaccine.
