New Strain of Flu Resistant to Most Medication

Many States Reporting Unusually High Number of Flu Cases, Experts Recommend Getting Flu Shot Now

Flu season has just started in Minnesota, but experts predict large outbreaks due to a new strain of influenza. This new strain is resistant to Amantadine and Rimantadine, two drugs most successful at treating influenza in the past.

In areas where flu season has hit full force, like Arizona, hospitals are reporting an unusually high number of cases. Currently, the best drug options available are Tamiflu and a similar drug Relenza. However, with sufficient exposure to Tamiflu, the flu begins to develop resistance to it. "Tamiflu and Relenza are our best hope for treating a flu pandemic, such as the Avian Flu. As a result, we must only use these drugs when absolutely necessary for high risk patients," says Jim Nordin, M.D., head of HealthPartners Disease Surveillance System and HealthPartners Influenza Immunization program.

"With less medication to offer this year, immunization becomes even more important. If more people get immunized now, we could blunt the peak and save illness and death from the influenza virus for the rest of the season," says Nordin. "So far, this year's vaccine is a good match for the virus that is circulating," he added. The only people who should not receive a flu shot are:

--  Infants six months or younger
--  People who have a severe allergy to hens' eggs or other vaccine
    components
--  People who have had Guillain-Barre Syndrome less than six weeks after
    receiving a previous flu vaccine
--  People who are moderately or severely sick today (get vaccine when you
    recover)
    

Make an appointment

Contact your health care provider for a flu shot appointment.

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HealthPartners (www.healthpartners.com) is the largest consumer-governed, non-profit health care organization in the nation with commercial and Medicare Advantage plans that received the highest rating of "Excellent" from the National Committee for Quality Assurance.

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