American Lung Association urges families to get immunized against seasonal influenza

The American Lung Association is intensifying its seasonal influenza public education initiative to urge families to get vaccinated as soon as possible. The Faces of Influenza campaign aims to ensure Americans get immunized against seasonal influenza, which each year causes an estimated 36,000 deaths and over 226,000 hospitalizations from the virus and its related complications.

The Faces of Influenza campaign, which includes expanded awareness initiatives nationally and in many major cities, supports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) call for Americans to get vaccinated against seasonal influenza this and every year.

Seasonal influenza is an annual threat, and more than 80 percent of the U.S. population is recommended to receive the vaccine. In an average year, up to one in five Americans may be infected with the virus, which can cause missed days at school or the office, hospitalizations -- and even death.

"Seasonal influenza remains a serious concern, even with the presence of the 2009 H1N1 virus," said Norman Edelman, MD, Chief Medical Officer of the American Lung Association. "Vaccination against seasonal influenza is the best protection against this annual disease. Speak with your doctor about getting you and your family vaccinated to help prevent the spread of the virus."

The CDC recommends seasonal influenza vaccination for more than 250 million Americans. It is especially important for those in high-risk groups and their close contacts to get immunized against seasonal influenza as soon as vaccine is available to avoid serious complications from infection. Immunization throughout the full season is beneficial, as seasonal influenza virus activity typically peaks in February or March.

The American Lung Association's Faces of Influenza educational initiative has expanded this year to include regional activities in 13 communities: Dallas/Ft. Worth, Denver, Indianapolis and Miami. Other cities involved are Cleveland, Detroit, Houston, Kansas City, Mo.; Minneapolis/St. Paul, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Sacramento, Calif.; and Tampa/St. Petersburg, Fla.

The Faces of Influenza educational initiative also features a comprehensive speakers' campaign that involves dozens of spokespersons across the country, sharing their personal stories about the dangers seasonal influenza placed on their families.

Kristi Yamaguchi, mother, Olympic Gold Medalist and winner of "Dancing with the Stars," serves as the national spokesperson for the Faces of Influenza program. As a mother of two young girls, Kristi's first priority is the health of her family. She makes sure everyone in her family is immunized annually against influenza.

"Through the Faces of Influenza program, I've worked with families who have lost loved ones to the disease and its complications. Their tragic experiences are a reminder that seasonal influenza is serious," Kristi said.

"I take my daughters to get vaccinated every year because it's the best protection against influenza," Kristi said. "I also ask everyone in contact with them to make sure they are vaccinated as well, to help create a cocoon of protection."

With more than four out of five Americans recommended for annual vaccination, chances are we all know someone who should get vaccinated against seasonal influenza this and every year. The American Lung Association encourages everyone to visit www.facesofinfluenza.org to learn more about influenza, and the groups recommended for annual vaccination against this seasonal disease.

Influenza patients treated with Tamiflu has higher survival rates

Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) announced today that two new observational studies concluded that influenza patients treated with Tamiflu(R) (oseltamivir phosphate) had significantly higher survival rates than untreated patients. The studies, examining nearly 1,000 people, analyzed outcomes for two different groups -adults and children diagnosed with the highly pathogenic A (H5N1) avian influenza and adults hospitalized with seasonal influenza. Results, which build on similar findings, were presented today at the 49th ICAAC annual meeting in San Francisco.

"These retrospective studies support the potential benefits of antiviral treatment in severe cases of influenza," said Dominick Iacuzio, Ph.D., medical director at Roche, which manufactures Tamiflu. "While Tamiflu is approved and used in many countries to treat and prevent all types of A and B influenza, these 'real-world' studies contribute to the body of clinical evidence."

Study Summaries

First Results from an Avian Influenza Case Registry (Presentation V-533) -- Sunday, September 13, 2009, 9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. PT, Marriott Salon 9.

The study examined outcomes data for 215 patients from 10 countries who were diagnosed with the virulent A (H5N1) avian influenza. The retrospective observational study found that untreated patients had a mortality rate of 88%, with 11 out of 89 (12%) untreated patients surviving, in contrast to survival of 45 out of 85 (53%) patients who received at least one dose of Tamiflu up to 8 days after symptom onset. Among a subset of patients who received Tamiflu within 2 days of symptom onset, 5 out of 7 patients (71%) survived.

The study was conducted by researchers from Avex Avian Influenza Expert Group and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, in collaboration with Roche. It is the first to systematically assess human A (H5N1) infection in multinational cases. Data were collected in-country and supplemented with data abstracted from published cases. Data were anonymized and reviewed for accuracy. Nearly all cases were confirmed at laboratories accredited by the World Health Organization (WHO).

"These data confirm the importance of prompt diagnosis and treatment with Tamiflu. They also support previous studies indicating that treatment may still beneficial even after 48 hours," explained Dr. Iacuzio.

The A (H5N1) avian influenza virus continues to spread throughout parts of Southeast Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Since 2003, the WHO has reported 440 human cases of A (H5N1), 262 of them fatal. Most recently, two new human cases were reported in Egypt on August 31, 2009 (www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/en/)

Outcomes of Adults Hospitalized with Influenza, 2007 - 2008 (Poster 577) - Sunday, September 13, 2009, 11:15 a.m. - 1:15 p.m. PT, Hall B.

The study analyzed 760 patients hospitalized with severe seasonal influenza, half of whom received Tamiflu>

The retrospective, observational study was conducted in two general hospitals in Hong Kong during a 24-month period, studying patients over the age of 18 who were hospitalized with confirmed influenza. Most patients were older (average age 70), 60% had underlying chronic illness, and 78% were hospitalized with influenza complications.

Information about Influenza treatment

by onlineclinic.co.uk

Influenza virus got first acknowledged in 1933. There are two main types of influenza: influenza A and influenza B. Influenza A usually causes a more severe illness than influenza B. So what is influenza exactly? Influenza or 'flu' (as we know it commonly) is a respiratory illness associated with infection by influenza virus. Some of the symptoms of influenza are headache, fever, cough, cold, sore throat, aching muscles and joints.

Though, these symptoms are mild, there may arise serious complications like bronchitis and secondary bacterial pneumonia. However you don't need to worry if you are attacked by the influenza virus, treatment for this nasty illness is now available.

On 9 February 2006 the UK Department of Health issued a letter to all general practitioners in England to inform them that the use of Tamiflu for the treatment or prophylaxis of influenza can be now prescribed. You can now buy Tamiflu and fight against influenza virus. The active ingredient in Tamiflu is oseltamivir and it belongs to a class of drugs called neuraminidase inhibitors.

Tamiflu works by stopping the growth and spread of the influenza virus in your body. If you buy Tamiflu, it also helps shorten the time you have flu symptoms like nasal congestion, cough, sore throat, aches and muscle pain, headache, fever and chills. If you buy Tamiflu it helps reduce these symptoms and also shorten the span of your illness. Buy Tamiflu Tamiflu is the first and the most effective oral neuraminidase inhibitor developed. If you buy Tamiflu online, make sure you buy genuine and branded Tamiflu manufactured by Roche.

There are also many generic versions available in the market. However, the safety and efficacy of this generic drug containing oseltamivir cannot be guaranteed. The chances of getting Tamiflu side effects and health complications may also increase. Before you buy Tamiflu, you should weigh its benefits and side effects and only then you should take your decision. Tamiflu Side Effects If you buy Tamiflu, you might also experience some of the following Tamiflu side effects:

Nausea (without vomiting)
Vomiting
Diarrhoea
Bronchitis
Abdominal pain
Dizziness
Headache
Cough
Insomnia
Vertigo
Fatigue

Most people who buy Tamiflu don't experience any Tamiflu side effects. However, there are some people who experience severe Tamiflu side effects. Buy Tamiflu online If you want to buy Tamiflu online , you need a prescription as it is a prescription only drug. You can get a prescription from your local GP or from an online doctor. To obtain a prescription online, all you need to do is fill in a consultation form. Tamiflu can be used as a precaution as well as treatment. So buy Tamiflu if you feel you are susceptible to influenza virus attack!

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Webmaster associated with online pharmacy "OnlineClinic.co.uk" this site provides various information on Tamiflu and helps people in curing Influenza, resources are available on site OnlineClinic.co.uk .