Lessons learned from the A (H1N1) influenza pandemic

Abstract

Influenza in pregnancy is a common condition that is associated with increased risk of hospital admission. Women with comorbidities are at greater risk of severe outcomes. There are substantial gaps in our knowledge of the impact of severe influenza on perinatal outcomes, especially in low and middle-income countries, but preterm birth, fetal death, infant respiratory infection and hospital admission may be increased. Thus, influenza is major burden on health services. Immunisation is cost-effective, safe and effective at preventing influenza in pregnant women and their infants but policies and uptake vary worldwide. Operational challenges and concern over the safety, efficacy and necessity of the immunisation are common and there is a lack of evidence on how to overcome these barriers. This review identifies learning points relevant to the current COVID-19 pandemic through describing the epidemiology and impact of seasonal and A(H1N1)pdm09 influenza in pregnancy, alongside the effectiveness and use of immunisation.

Role of C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 14 promoter region DNA methylation and single nucleotide polymorphism in influenza A severity

“…Inclusion criteria were: (1) patients that met the diagnostic standard of H1N1 virus pneumonia. In accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) definition, a confirmed H1N1 case was defined as an acute respiratory illness with laboratory-confirmed influenza A 2009 (H1N1) viral infection by realtime reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) or viral culture [15]; (2) patients that diagnosed as positive with throat swab; (3) patients with intense cough with purulent sputum, bloody sputum, or chest pain, dyspnea and cyanosis of lips, severe vomiting, diarrhea or dehydration; (4) patients with signs of pneumonia as suggested by X-ray film; (5) patients with complete clinic information. Exclusion criteria were: (1) patients inoculated with seasonal influenza vaccine within one year; (2) patients complicated with other infectious diseases.…”

“…As a kind of fatal respiratory disorder with surprisingly high infectivity infected by Swine flu virus, influenza A (H1N1) is an epidemic that poses threats to a mass of areas and population, especially children in the underdeveloped regions [1,2]. Outbreak of H1N1 in 1918 is recognized as the most deadly one as it incurred 500 million cases and a death toll of no less than 40 million [3].…”

“…Before the proper administration of vaccine or therapy, keeping social distance, such as temporary closure of public place and segregation of infected population is regarded as the most protective method [5]. Although vaccine inoculation is the most effective and practical measure in minimizing H1N1, concerns about the efficiency and safety of it are growing worldwide [2]. What's more, destructive outcomes arising from H1N1 may impose some dilemma to mental and physical health, including post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, tremendous stress and anxiety [6].…”

The Influenza Vaccine May Protect Pregnant and Postpartum Women against Severe COVID-19

“…Given that the influenza vaccine is safe throughout gestation and could be routinely administered at any stage of pregnancy [24][25][26][27], the aim of this study was to evaluate whether influenza vaccination reduces the severity and mortality of COVID-19 infection and mortality among pregnant and postpartum women.…”

Discovery of New Ginsenol-Like Compounds with High Antiviral Activity

“…Pandemic influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 had widespread coverage in many countries, a severe clinical course, and high mortality [1]. Adverse outcomes were most often observed not only in individuals with comorbid chronic disease [2] but also in young people without significant previous pathology, including pregnant women [3]. Human infection with avian influenza viruses of subtypes H5N1, H7N7, and H7N9 has also been observed in recent years [4].…”