CDC Update - Distributed via Health Alert Network (HAN)
April 28, 2009 10:30 PM EST
New Interim Clinical Guidance for the Treatment of Children
Little is currently known about how swine-origin influenza viruses (S-OIV) may affect children. However, we know from seasonal influenza and past pandemics that young children, especially those younger than 5 years of age and children who have high risk medical conditions, are at increased risk of influenza-related complications.
Young children are less likely to have typical influenza symptoms (e.g., fever and cough) and infants may present to medical care with fever and lethargy, and may not have cough or other respiratory symptoms or signs.
New Interim Clinical Guidance for the Treatment of Pregnant Women
Evidence that influenza can be more severe in pregnant women comes from observations during previous pandemics and from studies among pregnant women who had seasonal influenza. An excess of influenza-associated deaths among pregnant women were reported during the pandemics of 1918–1919 and 1957–1958. Adverse pregnancy outcomes have been reported following previous influenza pandemics, with increased rates of spontaneous abortion and preterm birth reported, especially among women with pneumonia. Case reports and several epidemiologic studies conducted during interpandemic periods also indicate that pregnancy increases the risk for influenza complications for the mother and might increase the risk for adverse perinatal outcomes or delivery complications.
Background
Human infections with the newly identified S-OIV that is spreading among humans were first identified in April 2009 with cases in the United States and Mexico. The epidemiology and clinical presentations of these infections are currently under investigation. There are insufficient data available at this point to determine who is at higher risk for complications of S-OIV infection. However because pregnant women and children are known to be at higher risk for complications during seasonal influenza complications and during prior pandemics, it is reasonable to assume that these groups of people may be at higher risk for complications from infection with this new virus. Additional Information
For additional information about the current influenza outbreak, see: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/
Additional information is also available by calling 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636)
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