Health

As Flu Becomes More Widespread, CDC Pushes Antiviral Meds

Published

10 years ago

January 10, 2015

FILE- This April 30, 2009, file photo shows a box of Tamiflu in a Toronto health clinic. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday, Jan. 9. 2015, sent a new alert to doctors, advising prompt use of Tamiflu and other antivirals for hospitalized flu patients and those at higher risk for complications like pneumonia. (The Canadian Press, Darren Calabrese, File/Associated Press)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday, Jan. 9. 2015, sent a new alert to doctors, advising prompt use of Tamiflu and other antivirals for hospitalized flu patients and those at higher risk for complications like pneumonia. (The Canadian Press, Darren Calabrese, File/Associated Press)

NEW YORK — In the midst of a worrisome flu season, health officials are pushing doctors to prescribe antiviral medicines more often.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday sent a new alert to doctors, advising prompt use of Tamiflu and other antivirals for hospitalized flu patients and those at higher risk for complications like pneumonia.

CDC officials say a nasty strain of flu is going around that is more dangerous to elderly people and very young children. What’s more, officials think the flu vaccine doesn’t work well against this particular virus. So “it’s more important than usual” that doctors treat certain patients with Tamiflu or other antiviral medications, CDC Director Dr. Tom Frieden said at a press conference Friday.

CDC officials said flu was reported to be widespread in 46 states last week, up from 43 the week before. But there was a small drop in states reporting high numbers of flu-related doctor’s office visits. That’s one sign that for some areas, the worst stretch of the current flu season may be ending.

Flu seasons tend to last about 13 weeks, and CDC data suggests the nation is about seven weeks in, Frieden said. “It seems we’re right in the middle of flu season,” he said.

However, while flu may be ebbing in some states, it’s increasing in others, and it’s not clear whether flu has peaked overall, health officials said.

CDC research suggests doctors prescribe antivirals to one in five high-risk flu patients. CDC officials say the number should be higher.

When given promptly — within two days of the beginning of flu symptoms — they can shorten the amount of time someone is sick with the flu, a number of studies have found. The drugs also can prevent patients from becoming sick enough to end up in a hospital intensive care unit — or worse, Frieden said.

“Antiviral flu medicines save lives,” he said.

The CDC sent an advisory to physicians last month, warning them this could be a potentially bad flu season and encouraging prompt treatment with antivirals. CDC officials said doctors should not wait for test results confirming the flu if they are dealing with an elderly patient, someone who is very sick from the flu, or someone with pre-existing conditions like asthma, diabetes and heart disease.

The CDC sent a second alert to doctors Friday that repeated earlier recommendations and noted a new antiviral was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration last month. It’s called Rapivab, and is an infusion that can be given to sick patients who aren’t able to take Tamiflu pills or another, inhalable antiviral medicine called Relenza.

Doctors have been cautious about prescribing antiviral medicines for a number of reasons, CDC officials say. Some want a lab result confirming flu before they prescribe a flu drug. In cases in which patients delayed seeking treatment, doctors may worry the patients are already be too far into the illness for the drugs to do much good.

And there also is uncertainty about the drugs’ effectiveness in reducing hospitalizations and complications.

Last year, a respected international network of researchers — the Cochrane Collaboration — published a review of past studies on the medications, and found there was no good evidence to support claims that Tamiflu reduces flu complications or flu-related hospitalizations. At best, it shortens flu symptoms by half a day, the Cochrane report said.

The CDC shouldn’t be promoting antivirals unless there is strong proof they prevent hospitalizations and key complications, said one of the Cochrane study’s authors, Peter Doshi, in an interview Friday. He is an assistant professor at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, and an associate editor of BMJ — the British medical journal in which the study was published.

CDC officials say the Cochrane review had limitations; for example, Cochrane looked at high-quality studies but none that included hospitalized patients. CDC officials say the agency is giving greater weight to observational studies, which are considered less rigorous than the research Cochrane focused on, but which offered a look at what happened in hospitalized patients. And that research did find a benefit.

Also, there aren’t really other options: Against flu, antiviral medicines are what’s left in the medical arsenal when the vaccine doesn’t work, experts say.
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Online:

CDC flu update: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/

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Reporter II

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Activism

LIVE! — TOWN HALL ON RACISM AND ITS IMPACT — THURS. 11.14.24 5PM PST

Join us for a LIVE Virtual Town Hall on the Impact of Racism hosted by Post News Group Journalist Carla Thomas and featuring Oakland, CA NAACP President Cynthia Adams & other Special Guests.
Thursday, November 14, 2024, 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. PST

Published

1 week ago

November 12, 2024

Oakland Post

Discussion Topics:
• Since the pandemic, what battles have the NAACP fought nationally, and how have they impacted us locally?
• What trends are you seeing concerning Racism? Is it more covert or overt?
• What are the top 5 issues resulting from racism in our communities?
• How do racial and other types of discrimination impact local communities?
• What are the most effective ways our community can combat racism and hate?

Your questions and comments will be shared LIVE with the moderators and viewers during the broadcast.

STREAMED LIVE!
FACEBOOK: facebook.com/PostNewsGroup
YOUTUBE: youtube.com/blackpressusatv
X: twitter.com/blackpressusa

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California Black Media

Gen. Election Update: Tracking Your Votes on Ballot Propositions — and What They Mean for Our Communities

In the Nov. 5 General Election, Californians cast their votes on ten propositions addressing issues from education and climate funding to prison labor and the minimum wage.

Published

2 weeks ago

November 6, 2024

Oakland Post

By Joe W. Bowers Jr., California Black Media

In the Nov. 5 General Election, Californians cast their votes on ten propositions addressing issues from education and climate funding to prison labor and the minimum wage.

Below is a breakdown of the propositions, their potential impact and an update on how we voted on them.

Likely to Pass:

Proposition 2: Bonds for Public School and College Facilities
With 56.7% support, Prop 2 is on track to pass. This measure would allocate $10 billion to repair and upgrade K-12 and community college facilities, especially in under-resourced schools. For students, this funding could lead to safer and more supportive learning environments.

Proposition 3: Constitutional Right to Marriage
Prop 3 currently has 61.4% support and is likely to pass. This measure aims to amend California’s constitution to affirm marriage rights for all. For LGBTQ+ individuals in our communities, this is a powerful affirmation of equality and inclusion.

Proposition 4: Bonds for Water, Wildfire, and Climate Risks
Currently passing with 57.8%, Prop 4 is on track to deliver $10 billion for projects that address water quality, wildfire prevention, and climate resilience. This could have a significant impact on communities that face the harshest effects of climate change.

Proposition 34: Restricts Spending of Prescription Revenues
Prop 34 is narrowly passing with 51.4% support, indicating that it may succeed. The measure would require specific healthcare providers to use 98% of revenue from federal drug discount programs on direct patient care. This could improve healthcare access for low-income residents.

Proposition 35: Provides Permanent Funding for Medi-Cal
With 66.8% of voters in favor, Prop 35 is on course to pass, securing permanent funding for Medi-Cal, California’s low-income healthcare program. For many in our communities who depend on Medi-Cal, this measure promises stability and continued access to essential healthcare services.

Proposition 36: Increased Sentencing for Certain Drug and Theft Crimes
With strong support at 70.5%, Prop 36 is poised to pass, increasing penalties for specific theft and drug offenses. This measure would partially roll back sentence reductions established by Prop 47, sparking concerns about potential increases in incarceration rates.

Likely to Fail:

Proposition 5: Bonds for Affordable Housing and Infrastructure
With 56.4% of voters opposed, Prop 5 is likely to fail. The measure aimed to reduce the voting threshold for local bonds from two-thirds to 55%, making it easier to fund affordable housing. Without it, local governments will continue to face higher approval requirements, potentially slowing progress on affordable housing solutions.

Proposition 6: Eliminates Forcing Inmates to Work
Currently failing with 54.9% opposed, Prop 6 is expected to be defeated. This measure would have ended involuntary labor for incarcerated individuals, a practice critics argue disproportionately affects Black inmates. It’s likely failure means the prison labor system will remain unchanged.

Proposition 32: Raises Minimum Wage
With 52.1% of voters opposing it, Prop 32 appears likely to fail. This measure would have raised the minimum wage to $18 an hour. While proponents argued it would provide greater financial stability for low-wage workers.

Proposition 33: Local Government Residential Rent Control
With 61.9% voting “no,” Prop 33 is expected to fail, meaning that local governments won’t gain expanded authority to enact rent control. Real estate groups argued that this measure could hinder housing development. Its failure means that current rent control laws will remain in place, leaving fewer protections for renters.

Oakland Post

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California Black Media

Covered California Open Enrollment Began Nov. 1

Open enrollment for Covered California kicked off on Nov. 1, 2024, offering individuals, families, and businesses a chance to secure quality, affordable health insurance for the upcoming year. This annual enrollment period allows California residents to choose from a variety of health plans that meet their specific needs. Covered California offers comprehensive coverage, including preventive care and financial assistance to help eligible applicants lower their monthly premiums.

Published

2 weeks ago

November 6, 2024

Oakland Post

iStock

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

Covered California offers comprehensive coverage, including preventive care and financial assistance to help eligible applicants lower their monthly premiums. The program features insurance plans from leading providers, ensuring access to essential health services such as doctor visits, hospital care, and mental health services.

This year, notable updates include expanded financial assistance, which increases the support available for eligible households to help offset monthly costs. Additionally, consumers will find greater plan flexibility, allowing them to select options that fit their lifestyles and budgets. Access to no-cost preventive services — like vaccinations, screenings, and annual check-ups — remains a priority.

Key enrollment deadlines are set as follows:

The open enrollment period runs from Nov. 1, 2024, to Jan. 31, 2025.
Those who enroll by Dec. 15, 2024, will have their coverage start on Jan. 1, 2025.

To facilitate enrollment, applicants can fill out an inquiry form on the Covered California website, reach out to Certified Enrollment Counselors, or contact Covered California directly at (888) 234-5366 or via email at GetCovered@cbhn.info.

The California Black Health Network (CBHN) collaborates with Covered California to advocate for health equity, focusing on underserved communities, including unemployed and gig workers. CBHN’s certified enrollers engage in outreach and onsite signups to help individuals access affordable healthcare options.