Swine flu guidelines for people with HIV released by CDC

Posted on May 3, 2009
Filed Under Uncategorized

The CDC on Thursday issued “interim guidance” for clinicians treating patients with swine flu who are also HIV-positive.

The full publication is available here.

The document notes that people with compromised immune systems, including people with HIV, are more at risk for seasonal flu, and thus are more likely to be at risk for H1N1, or swine-origin, flu as well.

There are insufficient data available at this point to determine who is at higher risk for complications of swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus infection. However, adults and adolescents with HIV infection, especially persons with low CD4 cell counts, are known to be at higher risk for viral and bacterial lower respiratory tract infections and for recurrent pneumonias.

Evidence that influenza can be more severe for HIV-infected adults and adolescents comes from studies among HIV-infected persons who had seasonal influenza; these data are limited. However, several studies have reported higher hospitalization rates, prolonged illness and increased mortality, especially among persons with AIDS. Thus, immune compromised persons, including HIV-infected adults and adolescents and especially persons with low CD4 cell counts or AIDS can experience more severe complications of seasonal influenza and it is possible that HIV-infected adults and adolescents are also at higher risk for swine-origin influenza complications.

People with HIV who contract swine flu should be treated with antiviral medications zanamivir or oseltamivir, the two drugs to which the virus is not resistant. “No adverse effects” have been reported in people with HIV who have received the two flu medications and “there are no known absolute contraindications” for people receiving the drugs when they are also taking antiretroviral drugs to treat HIV, according to the CDC.

People with HIV should take the same precautions as the general population to avoid contracting swine flu: Swine flu guidelines for people with HIV released by CDC
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