22 Million Americans Have Been Ill With H1N1 Influenza

The CDC has updated its estimates related to the spread of the novel influenza A (H1N1) virus, and the numbers are staggering.
The agency estimates that from April to mid-October, there were 22 million H1N1 illnesses in the United States, with 98,000 hospitalizations and 3,900 deaths, according to Anne Schuchat, M.D., director of the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases.
People with diabetes represent a large percentage of H1N1 cases, Schuchat said during a Nov. 12 media briefing. Individuals with diabetes accounted for 12 percent of all hospitalizations associated with H1N1 infection during this period, and 19 percent of adults hospitalized with the infection had diabetes. Moreover, one-fourth of people with diabetes who were hospitalized with H1N1 illness required intensive care.
But, according to Schuchat, people with diabetes can take a number of steps to protect themselves from influenza and its complications.
The CDC recommends that people ages 6 months to 64 years who have any type of diabetes should be vaccinated against H1N1 flu when the vaccine is available in their communities. When supply of the vaccine increases, patients with diabetes who are 65 years and older also should get the vaccine. All people with diabetes ages 6 months and older, including the elderly, also should receive the seasonal flu vaccine.
The agency also recommends that people ages 2 years and older who have diabetes or other chronic conditions also should receive the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine because influenza infection can increase the likelihood of developing bacterial pneumonia. The vaccine may be administered at the same time as influenza vaccines. CDC recently released a letter to physicians encouraging them to vaccinate patients with these indications.
People with diabetes who are suspected to have seasonal or H1N1 flu should receive antiviral treatment. The CDC said physicians should not wait for the lab results to confirm the type of influenza before prescribing antiviral medications. Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza) both can be taken by people with diabetes.
H1N1 has taken a heavy toll among individuals with asthma, as well. CDC Director Thomas Frieden, M.D., said during a Nov. 3 media briefing that among patients with asthma who have been hospitalized for H1N1 infection, only about one-half sought medical care at the onset of their illness.
"If you have asthma or another underlying condition, seek care promptly when you have fever with cough," Frieden said.
Young children also have been hit hard by the novel virus. Schuchat said during the Nov. 12 media briefing that the CDC estimates that 8 million children had contracted the virus as of Oct. 17, with about 36,000 hospitalizations and 540 deaths.
Among adults ages 18-64, there were an estimated 12 million illnesses, with about 53,000 hospitalizations and 2,900 deaths. Adults 65 and older accounted for about 2 million illnesses, 9,000 hospitalizations and 440 deaths.
Schuchat said the CDC plans to release updated estimates every three to four weeks.