WHO Suggests Limiting Who Gets H1N1 Drugs

The World Health Organization (WHO) today released guidelines for the use of antivirals in the management of patients infected with the H1N1 pandemic virus commonly known as Swine Flu. If states in part that healthy patients who don't have complications do not need to be treated with antivirals like Tamiflu.

Patients with underlying medical conditions such as cardiovascular, respiratory or liver disease, diabetes, and those with immunosuppression related to malignancy, HIV infection or other diseases along with pregnant women, children under 5 and the elderly (>65 years) should be treated with antivirals. These patients should also receive treatment as soon as possible after symptom onset, without waiting for the results of laboratory tests.

The WHO released the following danger signs in all patients:

Clinicians, patients, and those providing home-based care need to be alert to danger signs that can signal progression to more severe disease. As progression can be very rapid, medical attention should be sought when any of the following danger signs appear in a person with confirmed or suspected H1N1 infection:

- shortness of breath, either during physical activity or while resting
- difficulty in breathing
- turning blue
- bloody or coloured sputum
- chest pain
- altered mental status
- high fever that persists beyond 3 days
- low blood pressure

In children, danger signs include fast or difficult breathing, lack of alertness, difficulty in waking up, and little or no desire to play.

References:

1. WHO Guidelines for Pharmacological Management of Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 Influenza and other Influenza Viruses

2. Download the document [pdf 984kb]