CDC: Flu virus resistant to two drugs (regular influenza, not avian)

[uppityperson]

This is the regular flu, not the avian flu. Tamiflu and zanamivir (Relenza) are still ok to use. Viruses are mutating and becoming resistant.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/APWires/headlines/D8F4N380A.html

ATLANTA — The government, for the first time, is urging doctors not to prescribe two antiviral drugs commonly used to fight influenza because of concerns about drug resistance, officials announced Saturday. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the recommendation covers the drugs rimantadine and amantadine for the 2006 flu season.

Results of recent lab tests on influenza samples showed that the predominant strain this season - the H3N2 influenza strain - was resistant to the drugs, the agency said. "Clinicians should not use rimantadine and amantadine ... because the drugs will not be effective," said CDC director Dr. Julie Gerberding. The two drugs have been used for years to combat type-A influenza.

Gerberding said the lab data, which CDC scientists had been analyzing since Friday, surprised health officials and the health agency rushed to get the word out Saturday. "I don't think we were expecting it to be so dramatic so quickly this year," Gerberding said. "We just didn't feel it was responsible to wait three more days during a holiday weekend to let clinicians know."

CLIP
Each year, the flu kills about 36,000 people, and some 200,000 are hospitalized because of it in the United States, the CDC said. As of Dec. 31, the latest CDC data available, flu activity was only considered widespread in seven U.S. states, mainly in the Southwest and West: Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Utah, Nevada and California.

more at link

[Trillo]

1. For some reason--

--undoubtedly unexplainable and irrational--this advice reminds me of Bush's Medicare crisis and all the seniors that can't get the meds they need to survive.

[uppityperson]

2. Here's the last 3 CDC flu maps

Wk ending 12/24/05

Wk ending 12/31/05

Wk ending 1/7/26

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

3. My doctor is sending out a letter

about things to do to help keep from getting the flu. At the top of the list is hand washing. In the last few years, the amount and quality of handwashing has gone way down. Wash hands for at least 15 seconds, wash each finger and nail. I do it by counts-21 times total scrubdown, then each finger. Doc also says paper towels or those blow dryers are the best for not passing germs around, and to remember that handling money, holding onto a bannister, etc, can be cause to wash your hands as well. She had some other good advice involving herbs and vitamins, but as some here don't agree with using these things, I thought I'd stick with something I believe everyone will agree is worth doing.

[SoCalDem]

4. Happy Birthday To You..

I saw a doctor say that if you sing that song to yourself while you wash your hands, you will have done it right..:)

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

5. Cool!

I'll have to tell her about that-she'll get a kick out of it!

[uppityperson]

7. Twinkle twinkle litte star..

works also. Or you can do ABCD... or Baabaa black sheep, all of which are the same tune and take about as long.

[w8liftinglady]

6. how lucky for rumsfeld

he stands to make a mint off of tamiflu
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00036.htm

[alfredo]

8. So the vaccine is OK, but the drugs for treating the flu

are a bit wobbly.