Articles: pandemics.
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2009 H1N1 pandemic influenza (A(H1N1)pdm09) virus infected large numbers of people worldwide. Recent studies suggest infection with A(H1N1)pdm09 virus elicited cross-reactive anti-hemagglutinin (HA) memory B cell response to conserved regions of HA. However, the breadth and magnitude of cross-reactive immunity in children and adults following A(H1N1)pdm09 infection are unknown. ⋯ Our results suggest individuals exposed to A(H1N1)pdm09 virus developed a broad and age-associated cross-reactive anti-HA immunity which may have important implications for future vaccination strategies to enable protection against a broader range of influenza viruses.
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Health Technol Assess · Jan 2015
The PAndemic INfluenza Triage in the Emergency Department (PAINTED) pilot cohort study.
Research needs to be undertaken rapidly in the event of an influenza pandemic to develop and evaluate triage methods for people presenting to the emergency department with suspected pandemic influenza. ⋯ An observational cohort study to identify the most accurate triage method for predicting severe illness in emergency department attendees with suspected pandemic influenza is set up and ready to activate if, or when, a pandemic occurs.
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Am J Infect Control · Jan 2015
Current practices and barriers to the use of facemasks and respirators among hospital-based health care workers in Vietnam.
This study aimed to examine the knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards the use of facemasks among hospital-based health care workers (HCWs) in Hanoi, Vietnam. ⋯ In low and middle-income countries, access to appropriate levels of personal protective equipment may be restricted owing to competing demands for funding in hospital settings. It is important that issues around reuse and extended use of medical masks/respirators and decontamination of cloth masks are addressed in policy documents to minimize the risk of infection.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Phase II trial in adults of concurrent or sequential 2009 pandemic H1N1 and 2009-2010 seasonal trivalent influenza vaccinations.
During the 2009 influenza pandemic both seasonal and 2009 pandemic vaccines were recommended. We conducted a randomized trial of monovalent 2009-H1N1 vaccine and seasonal trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV3) given sequentially or concurrently to adults. ⋯ All vaccine combinations were generally well tolerated. Immune responses to one dose of 2009-H1N1 were adequate regardless of the sequence of vaccination in all age groups, but the sequence affected titers to IIV3 antigens.
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Oseltamivir (Tamiflu), a neuraminidase inhibitor, was approved for seasonal flu by US Food and Drug Administration in 1999. A number of randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analysis emphasized a favorable efficacy and safety profile. Majority of them were funded by Roche, which also first marketed and promoted this drug. ⋯ The recommendations for stockpiling the said drug as given by various international organizations viz WHO have also been put to scrutiny. Although many reviewers have labeled the Tamiflu saga as a "costly mistake," the episode leaves us with some important lessons. This article takes a comprehensive relook on the subject, and we proceed to suggest some ways and means to avoid a similar situation in the future.