CDC Releases Updated H1N1 Swine Flu Recommendations For HIV-Infected Patients
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released updated guidelines for HIV and AIDS patients regarding the 2009 H1N1 (swine) flu.
HIV patients are more susceptible to complications due to seasonal influenza, especially those that have low CD4 cell counts or have AIDS. Individuals with the 2009 H1N1 influenza have also exhibited more complications than the general population, suggesting that HIV patients are at a higher risk for developing complications in response to the H1N1 flu.
Individuals who are HIV-positive should remain alert and look out for any flu related symptoms. Possible symptoms due to the H1N1 strain include cough, sore throat, fever, headache, and muscle aches. Vomiting and diarrhea have also been reported for H1N1 influenza. Oftentimes, patients infected with the H1N1 strain may not have a fever, as is usually observed with the seasonal flu. If any of the above symptoms are present, HIV-positive individuals should consult a health care provider immediately.
Currently, treatments for H1N1 influenza include Relenza (zanamivir) and Tamiflu (oseltamivir), which are most effective if taken up to 48 hours after the onset of symptoms.
Since the CDC’s last released set of recommendations (see related Beacon News), an H1N1 influenza vaccine has been developed and made available. Individuals between 25 and 64 years of age who are at greater risk from developing complications due to influenza (which includes HIV-positive individuals) should receive a vaccine immediately. Others who are primary targets for receiving the H1N1 vaccine irrespective of their HIV status include pregnant women, caretakers of children younger than 6 months, all health professionals, and individuals between 6 months and 24 years of age.
The seasonal influenza vaccination does not protect against the 2009 H1N1 strain. Therefore, it is recommended that people receive the seasonal flu vaccination in addition to the H1N1 flu vaccination.
HIV-positive individuals should receive only the injectable inactivated forms of the seasonal and H1N1 flu vaccines, not the nasal spray forms.
To reduce the risk of contracting H1N1 influenza, HIV-positive individuals should engage in frequent handwashing and should also avoid contact with those who are infected with the H1N1 flu. It is also recommended that HIV patients avoid crowded places. If avoiding crowded settings is not possible, they should consider using facemasks or respirators in accordance with CDC guidelines.
Patients should continue to maintain an overall healthy lifestyle in order to avoid contracting either strain of influenza. HIV patients should continue to take all prescribed medications and should maintain good hygiene.
For more information, please see the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site.
Related Articles:
- CDC Issues Recommendations For HIV Infected Individuals About H1N1 Swine Flu
- The H1N1 Swine Flu And HIV/AIDS: A Comprehensive Review
- This Year’s Influenza Vaccine Is Now Available For HIV-Positive Individuals
- New Clinical Trials Will Test H1N1 Vaccine In HIV-Positive Children And Pregnant Women
- HIV-Infected Adults Sought For Swine Flu Vaccine Trial
For a look at the number of confirmed swine flu cases (reported by CDC & WHO) in the US & the world, check out:
http://www.peterdolph.com/2009/10/how-many-swine-flu-cases-are-there.html
DEFEATING INFECTIOUS DISORDERS BY STIMULATING IMMUNE FUNCTION
Stimulating defective immune function to perform efficiently is the logical approach to defeating pathogens. Such stimulation is propagandized as unavailable, while in reality the remarkable immunostimulating and antimicrobial properties of lithium and antidepressants were documented in 1981, when I published the first of nine reviews on the topic.
A therapeutic claim is reinforced when the mechanism is known. In this case, minute molecules known as prostaglandins, when produced excessively, depress every component of immune function, and induce microbial replication. In the early nineteen seventies, my late colleague David Horrobin, and others, showed that antidepressants and lithium inhibit prostaglandins. In a review published in 1983, I proposed that to stimulate immune function, an agent must have mood elevating properties.
Lithium has immunostimulating, antiviral and antibacterial properties, antidepressants immunostimulating, antiviral, antibacterial, antiparasite, and fungicidal properties. Lithium may be effective for paronychia, chalazions, bacterial skin infections, urinary tract infections, canker sores, cold sores, and genital herpes, antidepressants for canker sores, cold sores, genital herpes, T.B, and probably malaria and HIV. When antidepressants are added to antiretrovirals, they reduce HIV viral load to undetectable. Lithium has untapped potential in methicillin-resistant staphylococcal infections, (MRSA) hospital acquired infections (HAIs), sepsis, and pressure ulcers (bed sores).
With the threats posed by HIV, HINI, resistant T.B, and the emerging resistance of the malaria parasite to artemisin, the availability of immunostimulation becomes all the more crucial. Both lithium and antidepressants prevent recurrences of flu’ like colds, thus one cannot be sure which to favor for HINI in a particular case, and some clinicians may decide to use both. A few doses could sufficiently stimulate immune function, and reduce viral replication, so as to aid recovery.
My research drew on clinical observation, and the studies of many colleagues indexed in Current Contents, Medline and Pubmed. Given the perils, one should question the motives of diehards insisting on, “Large scale randomized clinical trials” or “epidemiological studies.” Release of my book, “Stimulating Immune Function to Kill Viruses” is imminent.