Treating H1N1 Swine Flu with Antibiotics?

The CDC just reported a study of 77 people who died of the H1N1 swine flu, finding that 22 of those unfortunate 77 had evidence of bacterial coinfection in the lungs – meaning that bacterial pneumonia as well as the direct effects of viral H1N1 may have contributed to death.

In prior flu pandemics it is known that bacterial pneumonia was often responsible for many deaths.  The initial viral infection seems to set the stage for a one-two punch.

In this newest study, bacterial coinfections caused by S. pneumoniaeH. influenzae, S. aureus, and group A Streptococcus were proven using modern techniques on postmortem lung tissue samples. Out of the 22 samples found to have bacterial infections, the most common pathogen isolated was Streptococcus pneumoniae.

These results cannot be used to determine the prevalence of bacterial coinfection in all fatal cases due to several limitations (including the fact that not all possible bacteria could be tested for, knowledge of the final cause of death in some patients was limited, and tissue samples may have been collected from unaffected portions of the lung).

The actual study details can be found here at the CDC’s MMWR site, or read in a watered down summary on Web MD, or Wall Street Journal Coupon.  The investigators’ conclusion:

The findings in this report also underscore the importance of managing patients with influenza who also might have bacterial pneumonia with both empiric antibacterial therapy and antiviral medications. In addition, public health departments should encourage the use of pneumococcal vaccine, seasonal influenza vaccine, and, when the vaccine becomes available, pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 monovalent vaccine.

While I am certainly not perfect, nor in the vanguard, nor necessarily right, I have treated “patients with influenza who also might have bacterial pneumonia” with both Tamiflu and an antibiotic. I can imagine some colleagues at first glance cringing at what seems like unnecessary or indecisive over-prescribing. But treatment decisions are often made based upon the convergence of past experience, luck, and clinical judgement. It is reassuring when the evidence gives credence to what feels intuitive, and confirms that past is prelude in terms of our human history with viral influenza pandemics and bacterial pneumonia.

It may be helpful for patients and clinicians to be aware of this latest report from the CDC, and to redouble efforts to vaccinate those for whom pneumococcal and flu vaccines are indicated.  The challenge to decide “is it viral or is it bacterial” exemplifies a way of thinking that tries to balance appropriate antibiotic use with over-prescribing that creates resistance and side effects. But the viral-bacterial dichotomy may not be mutually exclusive if we are to carefully consider this CDC report, and may better inform what treatment decisions should be made for those who are ill.

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5 thoughts on “Treating H1N1 Swine Flu with Antibiotics?

  1. albinoblackbear

    It was my understanding (from microbiology classes long past) that a secondary bacterial lung infection was a common co-morbidity associated with viral lung infections.
    It would seem reasonable to me to treat, as you said, with Tamiflu and ABX for the more severe H1N1 patients…however I wonder if the CDC’s report will cause a major upswing in ABX treatment for viral respiratory illnesses. It would be interesting to find out if there were any major differences in the clinical presentations of the 22 that had the bacterial co-infection.

  2. Greg P

    I see co-treatment with antibiotics in hospitalized patients. One issue, though, especially for outpatients, would be which antibiotic to use.
    I think one should make some effort to get an appropriate culture, and the death toll from flu suggests that these patients need to be watched closely.

  3. Vivian

    Since the optimal window of benefit for tamiflu is within 48 hours of onset of symptoms, would antiviral still be beneficial if patient’s already developing/showing symptoms of secondary bacterial lower respiratory tract infection?
    Or is antiviral therapy still indicated concurrently with antibacterial therapy to improve the final outcome? Is there any guideline or evidence that support this practice?
    I do very much agree that treatment decisions should be made on indivudual basis and that there’s just a very fine line between between adequate/necessary treatment and over-prescribing

    C – The best information on guidelines can be found at cdc.gov, or flu.gov, but on an individual case basis, talking with your doctor asap is recommended.

  4. Lisa Kolb

    H1N1 leads to bronchitus and then pneumonia. If you administer anti-biotics pneumonia can be avoided. The question remains, what antibiotic works best? If you have experience with this, please post what antibiotic you’ve had the most success with.

    C – please consult your doctor for medical advice.

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