20-Year-Old New Mother Dies From H1N1 Virus

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Columbus Public Health confirmed the first local H1N1 influenza fatality in a 20-year-old new mother Thursday.

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A 20-year-old female died early Thursday morning at an OhioHealth facility, according to CPH.

According to the Franklin County coroner, the woman was identified as Kelsey Renee Young, of Columbus.

Health officials said she went to the hospital with symptoms common in those with H1N1 and gave birth a few days ago.

According to family members, during the seventh month of her pregnancy, Kelsey began feeling ill and was having difficulty breathing.

At that time, Kelsey was admitted to the hospital, where x-ray tests of her lungs were conducted.

Family members said that doctors determined that the course of action would be to perform a cesarean section and then help her body recover.

The healthy baby was delivered and Kelsey began to recover.

According to a relative, that's when test results were returned, confirming the diagnosis of H1N1.

Kelsey's condition then started to decline, culminating in her death Thursday morning at Doctor's Hospital at 5100 W. Broad St. on the city's West Side.

Family members said the baby, Ava, is doing well at Nationwide Children's Hospital.

An autopsy will not be performed.

Thursday's death was the third H1N1 flu death in Ohio. Two others were reported in June: a man who died in Butler County and a woman who died in Cuyahoga County.

CPH held a press conference Thursday afternoon to talk about Thursday's death and H1N1 in at-risk groups.

The following information was released during the news conference:

Columbus Health Commissioner Dr. Teresa Long said the female was a patient of OhioHealth.

She said an OhioHealth team saved the baby’s life.

How she contracted the virus could not be confirmed currently, but she did not contract the influenza at the hospital.

Long said it reinforces the fact we are not immune from H1N1, especially pregnant women and young children.

Pregnant women and young children are the No. 1 risk group.

CPH asked obstetricians to step up and offer vaccines to pregnant women.

H1N1 risks should be talked about during prenatal care, and all women should seek prenatal care.

Pregnant women are taking care of two, which puts them in a compromised position health-wise.

Pregnant women who feel like they have a fever, chills or sweats, headaches or a sore throat should be checked immediately.

Anti-viral drugs can be prescribed.

Pregnant women should get a seasonal flu vaccine, and when the H1N1 vaccine becomes available in October, they should get it.

Vaccines will go directly to hospitals and health providers and will be handed out in a tiered system. Pregnant women will take high-priority.

People who are in at-risk groups -- including the elderly, pregnant women and children -- may consider staying away from crowded places.

Everyone should be taking steps now to prevent the spread of H1N1.

No more immediate details were available.

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