Skip directly to search Skip directly to A to Z list Skip directly to navigation Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options
CDC Home

Content on this page was developed during the 2009-2010 H1N1 pandemic and has not been updated.

  • The H1N1 virus that caused that pandemic is now a regular human flu virus and continues to circulate seasonally worldwide.
  • The English language content on this website is being archived for historic and reference purposes only.
  • For current, updated information on seasonal flu, including information about H1N1, see the CDC Seasonal Flu website.

CDC Health Alert Network (HAN) Info Service Message: CDC Guidance on Antiviral Treatment of Patients with Confirmed, Probable, or Suspected Cases of Novel Influenza A (H1N1)

Distributed via the HAN Info Service
May 27, 2009, 11:30 ET (11:30 AM ET)
CDCHAN-00293-09-05-27-UPD-N

Summary: As a reminder to clinicians, this Health Update summarizes existing CDC guidance issued on May 6, 2009 on the use of antiviral drugs in novel H1N1 patients and their close contacts. CDC recommends that influenza antiviral treatment be given to all hospitalized patients with confirmed, probable, or suspected novel influenza A (H1N1) and any patient with confirmed, probable or suspected novel influenza A (H1N1) who is at higher risk for seasonal influenza complications. All hospitalized patients should be carefully monitored and treated with antiviral medications as soon as possible after admission, including patients who seek treatment more than 48 hours after onset of symptoms. The drugs recommended for treatment are either oseltamivir or zanamivir. The novel H1N1 viruses are resistant to amantadine and rimantadine.

Background:

Clinical studies indicate that antiviral treatment is safe and effective for seasonal influenza, and that treatment is most effective if started as early as possible, preferably within 48 hours of illness onset. Antiviral susceptibility testing of novel H1N1 viruses indicates that antiviral drugs should be effective for treatment of this new strain of influenza also.

A recent study published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) described diagnosis, medical conditions, and treatment of 30 patients hospitalized in California with novel influenza A (H1N1) infection during April and May 2009. The report indicated that only 15 of 30 patients hospitalized with novel H1N1 infection received antiviral treatment. Treatment was initiated within 48 hours of symptom onset in only 5 of the 30 patients, although in some instances patients presented for medical care more than 48 hours after onset of illness. Although the majority of hospitalized persons infected with novel influenza A (H1N1) recovered without complications, some patients had severe and prolonged illness, and several remain hospitalized. Among hospitalized patients with novel influenza A (H1N1), about half of those who had chest x-rays taken had findings consistent with pneumonia, but few had evidence of bacterial co-infection. Primary influenza virus pneumonia, with or without bacterial co-infection, is a potentially life-threatening illness.

Recommendations:

CDC recommends that antiviral treatment for novel influenza A (H1N1) be given as soon as possible after onset of symptoms for all hospitalized patients with confirmed, probable, or suspected novel influenza A (H1N1) virus infection. All hospitalized patients with novel influenza A (H1N1) infection should be monitored carefully and treated with antiviral therapy, including patients who seek care more than 48 hours after illness onset. Influenza antiviral medicines should be initiated as soon as possible if influenza is suspected, and often before diagnostic test results (RT-PCR) are available, for maximum benefit. If bacterial co-infection is suspected, antibacterials should be directed at likely pathogens (e.g., S. pneumoniae, S. aureus) consistent with existing guidelines for the management of community-acquired pneumonia.* Antibacterial therapy also should be initiated after appropriate diagnostic specimens are obtained, including blood, respiratory secretions (especially for intubated patients), and pleural fluid for culture and urine for pneumococcal antigen testing (in adults).

Patients who are at higher risk for seasonal influenza complications (including people 65 years and older, children younger than five years old, pregnant women, and people of any age with chronic medical conditions) are also recommended for treatment, regardless of whether they require hospitalization.

For More Information:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) protects people’s health and safety by preventing and controlling diseases and injuries; enhances health decisions by providing credible information on critical health issues; and promotes healthy living through strong partnerships with local, national and international organizations.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

This Message was distributed to State and Local Health Officers, Public Information Officers, Laboratory Directors, Weapons of Mass Destruction Coordinators, Epidemiologists and HAN Coordinators as well as Association and Clinician organizations

The HAN Info Service is utilized by the CDC's Health Alert Network to distribute general correspondence from CDC which is not necessarily considered to be of an emergent nature.

 
Contact Us:
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
    1600 Clifton Rd
    Atlanta, GA 30333
  • 800-CDC-INFO
    (800-232-4636)
    TTY: (888) 232-6348
  • Contact CDC-INFO
USA.gov: The U.S. Government's Official Web PortalDepartment of Health and Human Services
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention   1600 Clifton Road Atlanta, GA 30329-4027, USA
800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) TTY: (888) 232-6348 - Contact CDC–INFO
A-Z Index
  1. A
  2. B
  3. C
  4. D
  5. E
  6. F
  7. G
  8. H
  9. I
  10. J
  11. K
  12. L
  13. M
  14. N
  15. O
  16. P
  17. Q
  18. R
  19. S
  20. T
  21. U
  22. V
  23. W
  24. X
  25. Y
  26. Z
  27. #