Underlying diseases worsen swine flu prognosis

Saturday May 9, 2009 (foodconsumer.org) -- As cases of swine flu exceed 2500, researchers are increasing their understanding of underlying factors that lead to death and hospitalization. The New York Times reports that the World Health Organization is now aware of more than 2,500 laboratory-confirmed cases of the new H1N1 in 25 countries. Still, Reuters reports that U.S. health officials are pleased that more people are washing their hands to reduce the spread of the disease, and a number of sources report that hospitalized cases of swine flu are often associated with conditions such as asthma and pneumonia. 

The New York Times reports that various conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease and tuberculosis increase patient's risk of becoming hospitalized or dying. Indeed, this reinforces connections to the 1918 flu outbreak, which was made more deadly by widespread cases of bacterial pneumonia. Viral pneumonia seems to have been a cause for "rapid decline" in some severe cases. Dr. Richard Besser of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) told The New York Times that asthma and diabetes (which is linked to obesity) puts afflicted patients at a higher risk of serious effects from the virus. 

The C.D.C. reports that there are now 1,639 confirmed cases of swine flu in 42 states. In addition, state officials are looking at 850 likely cases of swine flu. Reuters reports that 3.5-percent of swine flu cases have been severe enough to warrant hospitalization. However, the organization reports that "as more screening is done in the community, as opposed to looking at the sickest cases."

Dr. Besser told reporters that the CDC may re-organize its approach as the swine flu becomes more prominent in communities. He stated that the C.D.C. may get to a point where they are unable to meet the demand for swine flu tests.  

Swine flu shares many symptoms with more common varieties of the flu, so problems arise. Still, C.D.C. officials are pleased that Americans have apparently increased hand-washing and other personal hygiene practices, such as covering one's mouth during a cough or sneeze. These practices have been shown to help curb the spread of the H1N1 virus.  

"It would be absolutely wonderful if a spin-off from people taking more precautions against flu would be a decrease in gastrointestinal diseases," Dr. Besser stated. 

(By Will Levine)