Swine Flu Deaths Linked to Co-infection with Pneumonia   Frank Barnhill M.D.
 

According to a study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published in the September issue of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, many patients who die from novel H1N1 influenza (the Swine Flu) had a co-existing bacterial infection that significantly affected their survival.

Lung tissue samples taken from autopsies of 77 H1N1 victims between May and September 2009, showed 29 percent to have suffered bacterial pneumonia at the same time.  Of those, Streptococcus pneumonia (pneumococcus), the most common bacterial infection causing pneumonia, was responsible for contributing to their deaths.

Why is this news so important?

• Any child or adult with influenza symptoms that develops a cough, wheezing, difficulty breathing, or the croup, should be tested for pneumonia and treated with bacterial antibiotics, even if they are currently receiving Tamiflu.

• Children and adults who have chronic lung conditions such as COPD, asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis are much more likely to have a co-existing pneumonia if they get the Swine flu. It is very important that all of these kids and adults get a pneumonia vaccine, even if they have already had the flu vaccines.

• Good prevention techniques are more important than ever. Pneumonia is primarily spread by the aerosol route (coughing and sneezing) and as the old saying goes; an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

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Hope your winter is a healthy one!
Dr. Frank

P.S. If you’d like to learn more about the Swine flu, pneumonia and how to protect your family, please take a look at these articles from drhuggiebear.com:

 H1N1 Swine Flu and How You Can Avoid It
http://drhuggiebear.com/information/H1N1.htm

How Safe and Effective Is the Swine Flu Vaccine?
http://drhuggiebear.com/information/howsafeandeffectiveisthefluvaccine.htm

When to Keep Your Sick Child Home from Daycare, Nursery, or School
http://drhuggiebear.com/information/whentokeepyoursickchild.htm

drhuggiebear, drhuggiebear.com and contained materials are the copyrighted and/or registered properties of Frank Barnhill, M.D. and may not be reproduced for profit without the express written permission of the author.  All materials may be photocopied in whole for educational use.  For information please contact us at drfrank@drhuggiebear.com.