Flu and pneumonia, a combination that can be lethal

2023-05-10 08:54:50

The flu, together with bacterial pneumonia, can increase the risk of death by more than three times, so preventing bacterial pneumonia is especially important when an infection with the flu virus arises.

This is clear from a study published in the journal International Journal of Infectious Diseasescoordinated by the Virology and Innate Immunity Research Group of the CEU San Pablo University (USPCEU) with him Carlos III Health Institute.

Researchers have analyzed data from more than 48,000 patients published between 2010 and 2020, from 135 studies carried out in 28 countries, in search of the main causes that increase the severity in case of flu.

In this way, the results indicate the bacterial lung infections as one of the risk factor’s most relevant in influenza virus infections.

The hospitals Gregorio Marañón and 12 de Octubre in Madrid and the International University of La Rioja (UNIR) also participate in the investigation.

Secondary pneumonias

According to the study, the clinical burden of the flu is increasing worldwide. Thus, aging, immunosuppression, and underlying respiratory diseases are determinants of poor clinical outcomes, including higher mortality.

And the bacterial infections seem to be the main reason.

“Some of the bacteria that cause these secondary pneumonias can live in our bodies and colonize our upper respiratory tract or infect us from outside. The most common, like Streptococcus pneumoniae y Staphylococcus aureusare responsible for more than 60 % of influenza-associated bacterial pneumonias”, detail Javier Arranz-Herrero y jesus damfirst authors of the study.

For his part, he doctor Estanislao Nistal Villán, studio director, points out that the analysis yields particularly interesting data, such as that the flu, together with pneumonia, increases more than three times the risk of death.

Also, some chronic blood diseases They present a similar risk, followed by the risk associated with neurological disorders, renal failure, immunosuppression, chronic liver or cardiovascular diseases, along with other conditions.

Prevention as key

He report It also indicates the possibility that bacterial complications in cases of influenza are being underdiagnosed, and highlights the need to address prevention strategies, diagnosis y antibiotic treatment in cases where there is a high risk of complications associated with flu infections.

And it is that “despite how accustomed we are to the word flu, this disease is related in Spain to more deaths than those caused by traffic accidents. There are different physical conditions, age, or diseases that make patients who develop the flu have a high risk of suffering complications and of dying”, emphasizes Nistal Villán.

EFE/Jorg Cartensen

Develop new strategies

So, the vaccinationWith public health containment measureshe early diagnostic and the treatment of infections to prevent the possible emergence of other bacteria that are increasingly resistant to antibiotics, are key factors to improve the prognosis of patients with influenza infections.

The researchers recall that the current covid-19 crisis has highlighted the urgent need to develop new strategies to improve our health system to identify and reduce specific risks.

Regarding the groups at higher risk of complications such as influenza pneumonia, the focus is placed on the children population and the elderly people.