CDC Revises Flu Therapy Guidelines

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its recommendations on antiviral treatment. The drugs of choice for treatment of 2009 H1N1 influenza and influenza-like illness in both children and adults are the oral drugs, oseltamivir or Tamiflu and zanamivir or Relenza and the intravenous medication, Peramivir, currently being evaluated in clinical trials.

If someone gets a mild case of the flu and is not in a high risk category for complications, they are unlikely to benefit from antiviral medication if it has been more than 48 hours after the illness has started. If they are in a high risk category, antivirals should be started. If someone has confirmed or suspected H1N1 influenza, they should be given five days of an antiviral regime, even if their illness started more than 48 hours before contacting their physician. Pregnant women should receive prompt anti-viral therapy.

Do Something Nice for a Caregiver!

Eight out of 10 people in charge of caring for a relative suffer from anxiety and stress, regardless of their socio-demographic variables. Families, and particularly daughters, assume the “informal care” of dependent elderly people in most of the cases.

Researchers from the University of Granada are monitoring variables as a first step towards government intervention. Cultural variables, like parenting patterns and types of education received, have implications impacting the work of caregivers. The investigators want to improve the quality of life for these caregivers.