The swine flu, also known as the H1N1 virus, has claimed several lives throughout the state of Alabama, and there have been some cases of UA students getting the virus on campus. However, the Student Health Center hopes to help students by providing the new FluMist vaccine, used to combat the swine flu virus. (more…)
People suffering from the flu may be at higher risk for having a heart attack, especially those with heart disease and diabetes, British researchers report.
Because both seasonal and the pandemic H1N1 swine flu are circulating this fall and winter, people at risk for heart attacks are urged to get a seasonal flu shot and an H1N1 flu shot, which may reduce the chance of getting the flu and thereby lower the risk for a heart attack, experts say.
“Influenza is most concerning because of its secondary complications,” said Dr. Marc Siegel, an associate professor of medicine at New York University School of Medicine in New York City.
“Most of the time with influenza, death or hospitalization isn’t because of the influenza, it’s because influenza puts you in a weakened state — it’s a stress on the system,” he said. “So, it is not surprising that you would have the increased risk of a myocardial infarction during or right after an influenza infection.”
In addition, the flu virus may have a negative effect directly on the heart, Siegel said. “Flu stresses and strains the system,” he added.
To determine the risk of heart attack among those with flu, a research team led by Andrew C. Hayward, a senior lecturer in infectious disease epidemiology at the UCL Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology in London, looked at 39 studies conducted between 1932 and 2008. (more…)
Swine Flu Infection Control at Home:
Separation from others in single room if available until asymptomatic. If the ill person needs to move to another part of the house, they should wear a mask. The ill person should be encouraged to wash hand frequently and follow respiratory hygiene practices. Cups and other utensils used by the ill person should be thoroughly washed with soap and water before use by other persons.
Antiviral Treatment
Suspected Cases
Empiric antiviral treatment is recommended for any ill person suspected to have swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection. Antiviral treatment with either zanamivir alone or with a combination of oseltamivir and either amantadine or rimantadine should be initiated as soon as possible after the onset of symptoms. Recommended duration of treatment is five days. Recommendations for use of antivirals may change as data on antiviral susceptibilities become available. Antiviral doses and schedules recommended for treatment of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection are the same as those recommended for seasonal influenza: (more…)
