India on the lookout for HIV-H1N1 co-infection

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India on the lookout for HIV-H1N1 co-infection

Kounteya Sinha, TNN 31 August 2009, 12:40am IST

NEW DELHI: With India reporting several cases of co-infection of H1N1 swine flu

with HIV, and Maharashtra even confirming deaths in this category, the National

AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) has dispatched an advisory to all its 217

antiretroviral therapy (ART) centres asking them to report any such cases of

co-infection.

Early data from countries suggest that people co-infected with H1N1 and HIV are

not at increased risk of severe or fatal illness, provided these patients are

receiving ART. This would come as reassuring news for countries where HIV

treatment coverage with ART drugs is good.

However, according to the WHO's estimates, around 33 million people are living

with HIV/AIDS worldwide. Of these, only 4 million were receiving ART at the end

of 2008.

India is one of the countries where coverage with ART is still not that high. Of

the 23 lakh estimated cases of HIV in the country, only 2.4 lakh are undergoing

ART. This means HIV patients in India need to be extra careful about H1N1

symptoms.

Speaking to TOI, NACO director general K Sujatha Rao said, " At the recent chief

ministers' conference, the Maharashtra government reported two deaths of H1N1

patients who were found to be HIV positive. We have therefore started to keep a

tab of H1N1 infection in the country's HIV community and have sent an advisory

to all our ART centres asking them to educate patients about H1N1. "

According to the WHO, swine flu is spreading four times faster than other

viruses and 40% of the fatalities are young adults in good health. More than

2,180 people around the world have died from the virus since it emerged in

April.

" This virus travels at an unbelievable, almost unheard of speed, " WHO DG

Margaret Chan said. " In six weeks, it has travelled the same distance that other

viruses take six months to cover. Around 40% of the fatalities concern young

adults -- in good health -- who die of a viral fever in five to seven days. This

is the most worrying fact. Up to 30% of people in densely populated countries

risk getting infected, " Chan added.

WHO has already said that in many countries, the virus had overtaken others to

become the most prevalent flu strain.

The UN agency has said that people with immunodeficiency diseases -- including

AIDS -- will most likely be vulnerable to health complications from the H1N1

strain. " HIV and the new flu strain could also mix together in a dangerous way,

as has occurred with HIV and tuberculosis, " the WHO said.

HIV-infected persons should be considered as a high risk and high priority group

for preventive and therapeutic strategies against influenza, WHO added.

Antiviral medicines such as Tamiflu and Relenza decrease the duration of virus

excretion and the severity of illness when used for treatment of ill patients,

and may also prevent illness when used for prophylaxis. " HIV patients showing

any H1N1 infection symptoms should immediately be put on prophylactic

treatment, " an expert said.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/NEWS/India/India-on-the-lookout-for-HIV-H1N1-\

co-infection/articleshow/4952095.cms