Obesity and diabetes are the principal underlying conditions associated with death in patients with swine flu, a report published in the August 20th edition of Eurosurveillance shows. There is no indication in the report that HIV increases the risk of death from swine flu.
The authors from the French Institute of Public Health analysed all deaths caused by swine flu before 16th July.
A total of 564 deaths around the world were identified and detailed information was available for 213 of these.
Obesity and diabetes were the underlying health conditions most associated with death (57 cases). Respiratory disease was present in 37 patients, heart disease in 36, and unspecified other infectious diseases in 19.
Immunodepression was recorded in 16 patients, including five cases of cancer, two of transplantation, and three of auto-immune disease. HIV was not mentioned by the authors as being a specific risk factor for an increased risk of death.
The analysis also showed that the overall mortality rate in patients infected with swine flu is low.
Individuals with HIV are not thought to be at increased risk of contracting swine flu. Nor are HIV-positive individuals thought to have a greater risk of developing swine flu-related complications, unless they have a CD4 cell count below 200 cells/mm3. Patients with weak immune systems should always seek medical advice from their HIV clinic if flu symptoms persist or worsen despite antiviral treatment for flu, not least because symptoms of an opportunistic infection may be mistaken for flu.
Last week, the government announced its swine flu vaccination plans. It is expected that a vaccine will become available in the early autumn. Individuals with HIV will be one of the priority groups to receive the vaccination.
Valliant L et al. Epidemiology of fatal cases associated with pandemic H1N1 influenza 2009. Eurosurveillance 14: 33, August 20th, 2009.