Flu Update — Good News and Bad

Influenza strains circulating in the U.S. this year are covered by the vaccine, but the prevalence of oseltamivir resistance is rising.

In the U.S., influenza causes about 36,000 deaths annually. The 2008–2009 influenza season is just beginning, and we cannot yet predict incidence rates. The CDC reports that 1.5% of 24,657 respiratory specimens tested from September 28 through November 29, 2008, were positive for influenza virus. Of these, 77.3% were influenza A viruses, most of which contained the H1 hemagglutinin.

Thirty isolates — 20 influenza A (H1N1), 3 influenza A (H3N2), and 7 influenza B —were further characterized. Twenty-seven of the isolates were antigenically similar to the strains currently represented in this season’s vaccine. The three nonrepresented isolates were all influenza B.

Sensitivity to available anti-influenza drugs (adamantanes, active only against i…

Reviewing Author

Stephen G. Baum, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardClinical Infectious Diseases

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Editorial BoardsMedical Letter

Stephen G. Baum, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardClinical Infectious Diseases

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Editorial BoardsMedical Letter

Flu Update — Good News and Bad

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Reviewing Author