Swine Flu More Likely to Cause Pneumonia

WHO urges doctors to treat suspected cases with antiviral meds

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Oct 16, 2009 3:52 PM CDT

(Newser) – Swine flu is much more likely than seasonal flu to cause potentially life-threatening viral pneumonia, the World Health Organization said today, urging doctors to immediately treat even young and otherwise healthy suspected H1N1 cases with antiviral meds. “It’s not like seasonal influenza,” said a WHO officer. It travels farther into the lungs, where it can “cause very severe disease.”

Though a few cases of swine flu resistant to antiviral drugs have been reported, the meds have so far proven a highly effective if administered early. “Do not delay treatment,” the WHO officer warned. “Do not miss this opportunity.” The WHO warning came on the heels of a US announcement that 41 states have now reported widespread outbreaks, with pockets of the disease sprouting up elsewhere.

People wearing surgical masks enter the General Hospital in Mexico City in this file photo. (AP Photo/Dario Lopez-Mills, File)

This Tuesday, April 28, 2009 file photo shows Hayden Henshaw, 18, who was recovering from swine flu, at his home in Cibolo, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 4 comments

JayJay

Oct 19, 2009 2:31 AM CDT

this is just obvious, influenza cause flu... but in the later courses, they cause pneumonia... but i guess since this is a more severe form of the flu, it would make sense tht chances to catch pneumonia would increase

riffran

Oct 17, 2009 8:34 AM CDT

exactly....if you have lungs...you can get pneumonia....glad "mom" is still kicking...btw

cornelison

Oct 16, 2009 11:56 AM CDT

Pneumonia is something that affects people of all ages. My mother had pneumonia on more than one occasion and she was otherwise very healthy. Having said that, she's still alive & kicking.

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Swine Flu More Likely to Cause Pneumonia

WHO urges doctors to treat suspected cases with antiviral meds

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World Health Organization • pneumonia • influenza • antiviral drugs • swine flu • H1N1 virus

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56 Dead as Swine Flu Resurfaces in Egypt

Officials had taken measures to stop spread

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Unused shots are near expiration date

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Total lower than usual, but victims skew younger

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Swine Flu More Likely to Cause Pneumonia

WHO urges doctors to treat suspected cases with antiviral meds

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

World Health Organization • pneumonia • influenza • antiviral drugs • swine flu • H1N1 virus

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

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More Newser Stories

56 Dead as Swine Flu Resurfaces in Egypt

Officials had taken measures to stop spread

WHO Exaggerated Swine Flu Pandemic: EU Reports

Watchdogs accuse WHO of colluding with drugmakers

Snopes Founders: People Are Suckers

Please, stop falling for that Nigerian scam

US May Toss 75M Doses of Swine Flu Vaccine

Unused shots are near expiration date

Swine Flu Killed 17K Americans: CDC

Total lower than usual, but victims skew younger

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Newser By Users

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