Swine flu cases could double as 26 fight for lives

[Guest guest]

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/swine-flu-cases-could-double-as-26-fight\

-for-lives-2487646.html

Swine flu cases could double as 26 fight for lives

By Eilish O'Regan Health Correspondent

Friday January 07 2011

TWENTY-SIX patients, including two pregnant women, are fighting for their lives

in hospital intensive-care units around the country after contracting swine flu.

It is now feared that the numbers who are suffering from swine flu could double

in the coming weeks.

The seriously ill patients -- whose ability to fight the virus was reduced

because of underlying health conditions -- including long-term illnesses, are

being monitored for further complications.

Health officials have reported that the number of people struck down with flu

doubled in the past week and the number of hospitalisations trebled.

Around 5,400 people have now been treated by GPs for flu-like illness and the

spread of the viruses is expected to continue to rise -- particularly next week

as children return to school.

Most of those diagnosed with the illness so far this year are suffering from

swine flu but other seasonal strains are also circulating and posing a threat to

people who have not been vaccinated.

The rate at which people sought treatment for flu-like illness rose to 120.6 per

100,000 population up to last Sunday, up from 59.5 per 100,000 the previous

week.

While it is still far off the swine flu high of 200 per 100,000 last year, Chief

Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan warned yesterday that last winter's peak could

yet be surpassed.

The rates are expected to rise for two to four weeks before levelling off but

officials had " expected and planned " for this kind of surge, he added.

Since October, 114 people have been hospitalised with flu and 33 have ended up

in intensive care. Most had swine flu but a significant number were infected

with influenza A and B. Twenty-nine were pregnant or had recently given birth.

Twenty went to hospital emergency departments after developing symptoms, but the

majority were seen by GPs.

No deaths have been reported this winter from swine flu, which claimed the lives

of 27 people last year.

Dr Holohan said there was plenty of flu vaccine available and at-risk groups

should avail of the jab. Around one third of the population are immune to swine

flu, either because they became ill with the virus last year or have been

vaccinated.

Dr Darina O'Flanagan of the Health Protection Surveillance Centre said that

unlike last year when children under five years were the worst affected, the

highest number of cases currently has been seen in the 15-64 age group.

Vaccination

Those who received the swine-flu vaccine last year would still have immunity but

at-risk groups should get this year's seasonal jab because it also protects

against the other strains that are circulating.

Dr Kelleher, head of health protection in the Health Service Executive,

said there were around one million doses of antiviral medicines in stock to

treat people who have developed symptoms and to stop the illness getting worse.

People who develop symptoms should rest in their rooms and try to isolate

themselves from others in the household. They could self-medicate with fluids

and paracetamol.

However, those in at-risk groups who develop symptoms should ring their GP and

if anyone has a flu which is getting worse they should also seek urgent medical

attention.

The Department of Education is to reissue schools with last year's advice and

guidelines on how to reduce the risk of swine flu and how to respond if there is

an outbreak.

- Eilish O'Regan Health Correspondent