Influenza and other respiratory viruses
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Influenza Other Respi Viruses · Nov 2013
ReviewAre we prepared to help low-resource communities cope with a severe influenza pandemic?
Recent research involving lab-modified H5N1 influenza viruses with increased transmissibility and the ongoing evolution of the virus in nature should remind us of the continuing importance of preparedness for a severe influenza pandemic. Current vaccine technology and antiviral supply remain inadequate, and in a severe pandemic, most low-resource communities will fail to receive adequate medical supplies. However, with suitable guidance, these communities can take appropriate actions without substantial outside resources to reduce influenza transmission and care for the ill. Such guidance should be completed, and support provided to developing countries to adapt it for their settings and prepare for implementation.
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Influenza Other Respi Viruses · Sep 2013
Incidence of influenza-associated mortality and hospitalizations in Argentina during 2002-2009.
We estimated rates of influenza-associated deaths and hospitalizations in Argentina, a country that recommends annual influenza vaccination for persons at high risk of complications from influenza illness. ⋯ Our findings suggest that annual rates of influenza-associated hospitalizations and death in Argentina were substantial and similar to neighboring Brazil.
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Influenza Other Respi Viruses · Sep 2013
Observational StudyFactors promoting the prolonged shedding of the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza virus in patients treated with oseltamivir for 5 days.
The duration of viral shedding is an important determinant of infectivity and transmissibility and provides vital information for effective infection prevention and control. However, few studies have evaluated viral shedding in patients admitted to hospital with 2009 H1N1 influenza and treated with oseltamivir. ⋯ The presence of major comorbidities, a delay in initiating antiviral treatment, and continuing respiratory symptoms after 5 days of antiviral treatment are associated with prolonged shedding of the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus.
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Influenza Other Respi Viruses · Sep 2013
Mortality burden of the 2009-10 influenza pandemic in the United States: improving the timeliness of influenza severity estimates using inpatient mortality records.
Delays in the release of national vital statistics hinder timely assessment of influenza severity, especially during pandemics. Inpatient mortality records could provide timelier estimates of influenza-associated mortality. ⋯ Modeling inpatient mortality records provides useful estimates of influenza severity in advance of national vital statistics release, capturing both the magnitude and the age distribution of pandemic and epidemic deaths. We provide the first age- and cause-specific estimates of the 2009 pandemic mortality burden using traditional 'excess mortality' methods, confirming the unusual burden of this virus in young populations. Our inpatient-based approach could help monitor mortality trends in other infectious diseases.
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Influenza Other Respi Viruses · Sep 2013
ReviewHand hygiene to reduce community transmission of influenza and acute respiratory tract infection: a systematic review.
Hand hygiene may be associated with modest protection against some acute respiratory tract infections, but its specific role in influenza transmission in different settings is unclear. We aimed to review evidence that improving hand hygiene reduces primary and secondary transmission of (i) influenza and (ii) acute respiratory tract infections in community settings. We searched Medline, Embase, Global Health and Cochrane databases up to 13 February 2012 for reports in any language of original research investigating the effect of hand hygiene on influenza or acute respiratory tract infection where aetiology was unspecified in community settings including institutions such as schools, and domestic residences. ⋯ There was high-quality evidence for a large reduction in respiratory infection with a hand hygiene intervention in squatter settlements in a low-income setting. There was moderate- to high-quality evidence of no effect on secondary transmission of influenza in households that had already experienced an index case. While hand hygiene interventions have potential to reduce transmission of influenza and acute respiratory tract infections, their effectiveness varies depending on setting, context and compliance.