H1N1 antiviral chemoprophylaxis for HCWs
H1N1 antiviral chemoprophylaxis for HCWs
Difference between pre- and post-exposure clarified
Health care workers or public health workers who were not using appropriate personal protective equipment during close contact with an ill confirmed, probable, or suspect case of swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus infection during the case's infectious period are indicated for post-exposure antiviral chemoprophylaxis with either oseltamivir or zanamivir, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends.
Duration of antiviral chemoprophylaxis post-exposure is 10 days after the last-known exposure to an ill confirmed case of swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus infection. Post-exposure prophylaxis should be considered for contact during the infectious period (e.g., one day before until seven days after the case's onset of illness). If the contact occurred more than seven days earlier, then prophylaxis is not necessary. For pre-exposure protection, chemoprophylaxis should be given during the potential exposure period and continued for 10 days after the last known exposure to an ill confirmed case of swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus infection. Antiviral chemoprophylaxis with either oseltamivir or zanamivir can be considered for the following:
Health care workers who are at high-risk for complications of influenza (e.g., persons with certain chronic medical conditions, persons 65 or older, and pregnant women) who are working in an area of the healthcare facility that contains patients with confirmed swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) cases, or who is caring for patients with any acute febrile respiratory illness.
First responders who are at high-risk for complications of influenza (e.g., persons with certain chronic medical conditions, persons 65 or older, children younger than 5 years old, and pregnant women) and who are working in areas with confirmed cases of swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus infection.
(Editor's note: For the full CDC guidelines, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/index.htm.)
Health care workers or public health workers who were not using appropriate personal protective equipment during close contact with an ill confirmed, probable, or suspect case of swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus infection during the case's infectious period are indicated for post-exposure antiviral chemoprophylaxis with either oseltamivir or zanamivir, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends.Subscribe Now for Access
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