CDC issues drug-resistant flu bug warning

Georgia, United States, December 20: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued an official health advisory to the doctors warning that a certain flu strain spreading in U.S. is immune to the flu drug Tamiflu.

This Tamiflu-resistant virus has been identified in 12 states so far. It mostly includes the areas of Hawaii and Texas.

The Tamiflu resistance in the particular flu bug has risen very fast since last year. Statistics reveal that almost 11 percent of type A H1N1 flu bugs were resistant last year whereas this year it has been found that 49 out of 50 H1N1 are resistant. This could make the flu bug the major reason for flu this year.

CDC director, Julie Gerberding, MD, said, “We can’t predict if this strain will end up being the most important one this year. It could fizzle out. ... We’re giving a ‘heads-up’ to the clinicians, but we are not making drastic changes in our treatment and prevention recommendations.”

The flu vaccines available can protect against all three viruses that are prevalent among humans. These are type A H1N1 strain, type A H3N2 strain and one type B strain.

As a relief, it has been found that the Tamiflu-resistant flu bug is still affected by Relenza. This drug is almost of the same type as Tamiflu. Flumadine and Symmetrel are other two drugs to which the bug may not be immune.

While Tamiflu comes in the form of a pill, Relenza is available as an inhaler. But Relenza can’t be given to people who suffer from lung problems as it can cause lung spasms. Also, children younger than seven cannot be given Relenza. On the other hand, Tamiflu can be given to even a one-year old.

But experts believe that the flu warning might not make any difference since most of the patients are not treated with the help of flu drugs. Joseph S. Bresee, MD, chief of the epidemiology and prevention branch of the CDC’s flu division, said, “Even among hospital patients with the flu, more than half do not receive antiviral therapy.” He added that Tamiflu and Relenza are not widely used at this point.

Doctors advise that flu shot is the best preventive measure that people can take. Also, it is recommended that Tamiflu should only be taken if the bug is of type A H3N2 or type B.

Additional instructions by CDC to doctors include conducting tests on patients that can differentiate type A from type B flu. Also, doctors have been told to keep a check on what kind of flu subtypes are spread in their areas.

The treatment for flu should be given as early as possible. At most the delay can be of two days after the symptoms surface. And the old adage that prevention is better than cure applies here very well.