Most Deaths In 1918 Influenza Pandemic Caused By Bacterial Pneumonia
8/20/2008
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/118727.php
Quote:
The majority of deaths during the influenza pandemic of 1918-1919 were not caused by the influenza virus acting alone, report researchers from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health. Instead, most victims succumbed to bacterial pneumonia following influenza virus infection. The pneumonia was caused when bacteria that normally inhabit the nose and throat invaded the lungs along a pathway created when the virus destroyed the cells that line the bronchial tubes and lungs
Plus CDC seems to think there is some importance to the connection:
Interim guidance for use of 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine during novel influenza A (H1N1) outbreak
June 9, 2009 2:15 PM ET
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance/ppsv_h1n1.htm
Quote:
Background
Influenza predisposes individuals to bacterial community-acquired pneumonia. During the 20th century influenza pandemics, secondary bacterial pneumonia was an important cause of illness and death and Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) was reported as the most common etiology. Severe pneumococcal pneumonia associated with inter-pandemic influenza also has been reported, and S. pneumoniae remains a leading cause of vaccine-preventable illness and death in the United States. The current novel influenza A (H1N1) outbreak is evolving rapidly, and CDC continues to compile key information regarding risk of influenza, severity of illness and attack rate of secondary bacterial pneumonia among influenza patients. At this time, however, the role of pneumococcal infections among severe cases of novel influenza A (H1N1), such as those requiring hospitalization, is unclear.
Pneumococcal vaccines
During influenza outbreaks, pneumococcal vaccines may be useful in preventing secondary pneumococcal infections and reducing illness and death. Currently, two vaccines are available for prevention of pneumococcal disease, a 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) and a 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7).
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Contact: HHS Press Office
(202) 690-6343
Obama Administration Calls on Nation to Begin Planning and Preparing for Fall Flu Season & the New H1N1 Virus
Administration Leaders Say that Flu Preparedness is a “Shared Responsibility” Announce New Funding for States and New Nation-Wide Flu Prevention Campaign at flu.gov
The Obama Administration sent a strong message to the nation today that it is time to start planning and preparing for the fall flu season and the ongoing H1N1 flu outbreak and that the federal government is prepared to commit resources, training, and new tools to help state and local governments and America’s families get ready.
White House Homeland Security Advisor John Brennan, Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan joined with delegations from 54 states, tribes and territories today at the H1N1 Influenza Preparedness Summit at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Md., to kick-off the government’s nation-wide fall flu preparedness efforts.
[snip]
http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/07/20090709a.html
#3 Contra Costa County, Concord 9 year old girl, Karen Perez died 5/29/09 reported 6/4/09 *secondary bacterial infection, previously healthy
#37 Erie County, Buffalo, 15 year old boy Matthew Davis died 6/20/09 reported 6/20/09 *healthy, complained of a headache 6/12, conditioned worsened over the weekend, hospitalized 6/15 given antibiotic and released, 6/16 vomiting/dizziness/leg condition, hospitalized again 6/17, toward the end placed on life support, died 6/20 from complications of swine flu including pneumonia and MRSA
#150 New York - Erie County, Buffalo 9 year old girl Maya Harden died 6/27/09 reported 6/27/09 *healthy, contracted MRSA and pneumonia, on life support for 11 days
Severe case of A/H1N1 in Poland IAR | Today 13:12, updated: 2009-07-06 The first symptoms of the disease occurred in 3 days after her arrival. Later, her condition to deteriorate systematically. Probably there was also to bacterial infection and pneumonia. The girl is in serious condition. Persons who had contact with her have been placed under the supervision of sanitary-epidemiological.
2 More Deaths Linked To H1N1 Flu In Minnesota MINNEAPOLIS ― Two more deaths linked with the swine flu virus are reported in Minnesota, raising the total to three. The state Department of Health said Wednesday that an elderly individual and a child, both from the Twin Cities area, were the latest victims. Officials said the elderly patient had underlying medical problems and was hospitalized, while the child had an extensive bacterial infection in addition to the virus
QUEBEC - A woman from the Quebec City region, over the age of 65, is the first person in the province to die from the A H1N1 flu virus. Citing privacy concerns, Quebec’s public health director Alain Poirier would not further identify the woman.But he said she also had bacterial pneumonia, a respiratory ailment, which contributed to her death. The woman died last Friday, three days after she was admitted to hospital, Poirier said.