Microsoft word - ep cdc health advisory 101909.doc

For Information Contact:
Andrew T. Jewett, Director Hospital Preparedness Program Iroquois Healthcare Association 315-410-6470 / ajewett@iroquois.org
October 19, 2009
CDC Health Advisory Recommendations for Early Antiviral Treatment in
Persons with Suspected Influenza

This is an official
CDC Health Advisory
Distributed via Health Alert Network October 19, 2009, 13:51 EDT (01:51 PM EDT) CDCHAN-00299-09-10-19-ADV-N Recommendations for Early Empiric Antiviral Treatment in Persons with
Suspected Influenza who are at Increased Risk of Developing Severe
Summary Recommendations: When treatment of influenza is indicated in a patient with suspected
influenza, health care providers should initiate empiric antiviral treatment as soon as possible.
Waiting for laboratory confirmation of influenza to begin treatment with antiviral drugs is not
necessary. Patients with a negative rapid influenza diagnostic test should be considered for
treatment if clinically indicated because a negative rapid influenza test result does not rule out
influenza virus infection. The sensitivity of rapid influenza diagnostic tests for 2009 H1N1 virus can
range from 10% to 70%, indicating that false negative results occur frequently.
Situation
The 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza virus continues to be the dominant influenza virus in circulation in the
U.S. The benefit of antiviral treatment is greatest when it is initiated as early as possible in the clinical
course. Several recent reports have indicated two problems related to antiviral treatment: (1) some
patients with suspected influenza who are at higher risk of developing severe complications, including
hospitalized patients, were not treated at all with antiviral medications because of a negative rapid
influenza diagnostic test result and (2) initiation of treatment was delayed for some patients with
suspected influenza who are at higher risk of developing severe complications, including hospitalized patients, because clinicians were waiting for results of real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) assay. Who is prioritized for treatment with influenza antiviral drugs?
Most healthy persons (i.e., those without a condition which puts them at higher risk for complications)
who develop an illness consistent with uncomplicated influenza do not need to be treated with antiviral
medications and will recover without complications. However, clinical judgment should be the ultimate
guide in making antiviral treatment decisions for ill persons who are not at higher risk for complications
from influenza.
Early empiric treatment with oseltamivir or zanamivir is recommended for all persons with suspected or confirmed influenza requiring hospitalization. Prompt empiric outpatient antiviral therapy is also recommended for persons with suspected influenza who have symptoms of lower respiratory tract illness or clinical deterioration regardless of previous health or age. Early empiric treatment should be considered for persons with suspected or confirmed influenza who are at higher risk for complications, even if not hospitalized, including: Chronic pulmonary (including asthma), cardiovascular (except hypertension), renal, hepatic, hematological (including sickle cell disease), or metabolic disorders (including diabetes mellitus); Disorders that that can compromise respiratory function or the handling of respiratory secretions or that can increase the risk for aspiration (e.g., cognitive dysfunction, spinal cord injuries, seizure disorders, or other neuromuscular disorders) Immunosuppression, including that caused by medications or by HIV; Persons younger than 19 years of age who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy, because of an When should health care providers start treatment with antiviral drugs?
Once the decision to administer antiviral treatment is made, oseltamivir or zanamivir should be initiated
as soon as possible. Evidence for benefit from antiviral treatment in studies of seasonal influenza is
strongest when treatment is started within 48 hours of illness onset. However, some studies of oseltamivir
treatment of hospitalized patients with seasonal influenza have indicated benefit, including reductions in
mortality or duration of hospitalization, even for patients whose treatment was started more than 48 hours
after illness onset.
When treatment is indicated, health care providers should not wait for laboratory confirmation of
influenza to begin oseltamivir or zanamivir treatment of patients with suspected 2009 pandemic
H1N1 influenza virus infection. Patients with a negative rapid influenza diagnostic test should be
considered for treatment if clinically indicated because a negative result does not rule out
influenza virus infection. The sensitivity of rapid influenza diagnostic tests to detect 2009 H1N1 virus in
respiratory specimens ranges from 10% to 70%, and therefore false negative results occur frequently.
Similarly, false negative results can also occur with immunoflorescence assays.
What actions should health care providers take when waiting for influenza test results
Health care providers should empirically treat persons with suspected influenza illness who are at
increased risk for complications if clinically indicated while influenza test results are pending. Antiviral
treatment is most effective when administered as early as possible in the course of illness. The rRT-PCR
tests are the most sensitive and specific influenza diagnostic tests, but they may not be readily available,
obtaining test results may take one to several days, and test performance depends on the individual rRT-
PCR assay. Antiviral treatment should not be delayed until rRT-PCR test results are available.
For More Information
Updated Interim Recommendations for the Use of Antiviral Medications in the Treatment and Prevention
of Influenza for the 2009-2010 Season: http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1flu/recommendations.htm
Interim Recommendations for Clinical Use of Influenza Diagnostic Tests During the 2009-10 Influenza
Season: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance/diagnostic_tests.htm
Questions & Answers:
Antiviral Drugs, 2009-2010 Flu Season:http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/antiviral.htm Influenza Diagnostic Testing: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/diagnostic_testing_clinicians_qa.htm Updated Interim Recommendations for Obstetric Health Care Providers Related to Use of Antiviral Medications in the Treatment and Prevention of Influenza for the 2009-2010 Season: http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1flu/pregnancy/antiviral_messages.htm Antiviral Drugs: Summary of Side Effects: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/antiviral/sideeffects.htm General information for the public on antiviral drugs is available in “2009 H1N1 and Seasonal Flu: What You Should Know About Flu Antiviral Drugs” at http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1flu/antivirals/geninfo.htm . Downloadable brochures and informational flyers, including one on antiviral drugs, are available at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/flyers.htm . For the FDA page on antiviral influenza drugs: http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/InformationbyDrugClass/ucm100228.htm For additional information, you can also call CDC’s toll-free hotline, 800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) TTY: (888) 232-6348, which is available 24 hours a day, every day. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Health Alert conveys the highest level of importance; warrants immediate action or attention.
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