Geneva, May 2: World Health Organization (WHO) in its guidance for health workers has cautioned that HIVdefine and the new flu strain could be a lethal combination for people with immunodeficiency diseases, leading to serious health complications.
There are strong indications that flu symptoms might be prolonged and the risk of related complications higher for certain HIVdefine-infected people. Hence these people should be considered among the priority groups in the face of the pandemic threatening the world at large.
Advise tendered by WHO
The United Nations Agency stated, “Although there are inadequate data to predict the impact of a possible human influenza pandemic on HIV-affected populations, interactions between HIV/AIDS and A (H1N1) influenza could be significant.”
“HIV-infected persons should be considered as a high risk and a priority population for preventive and therapeutic strategies against influenza including emerging influenza A(H1N1) virus infection,” it further said.
Africa, which has the highest rate of HIV prevalent cases, needs to take stock of the situation, ensuring that people lacking immunity get the drugs they need to fight off the flu infection, advised the WHO.
People with chronic underlying medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease tuberculosis), including persons with advanced HIV disease may have a poor response to immunization. Therefore, use of antiviral medications for prevention should be considered for these patients if they are likely to be exposed to people with A (H1N1).
Persons with advanced HIV disease who are not expected to mount an adequate antibody response should consider antiviral medications such as Tamiflu and Relenza if they are likely to be exposed to other people with flu.
“Patients at higher risk for complications of influenza including those with HIV infection should be among those prioritised for antiviral treatment with oseltamivir or zanamivir which shortens illness duration and severity in seasonal influenza,” the WHO guidance stated.
According to the WHO, it is advisable that people diagnosed with the flu strain start on the course of anti-virals within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms. The authorities also clarified that no reactions occur on taking the drugs with the anti-retrovirals that HIV patients take for treatment of HIV/AIDS virus.
Update on the A(H1N1) virus
Mexico has been ruthlessly hit by the virus commonly known as the “swine flu”. The officials have reported more than 100 casualties. The other countries bearing the brunt of the flu, though in a milder form, are the United States, Austria, Israel, New Zealand and South Korea.
In comparison to other epidemics such as malaria, hepatitis, and meningitis, the swine flu is considered small. However, the WHO has raised a pandemic alert level to 5 (out of maximum 6) mainly because the flu can swell swiftly and ravage the poverty- and disease-ridden regions.
Swine flu is extremely contagious. Those affected need to make sure they don’t pass on the infection to others. On suspicion of flu, a lab test is essential.
