| Theme | Intractable Infection in Hemodialysis Patients -- Current Diagnosis and Treatment | |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Prevention, rapid diagnosis and therapy for influenza in dialyzed patients | |
| Publish Date | 2006/02 | |
| Author | Kazuhisa Ohishi | Department of Nephrology and Rheumatology, Hamamatsu Medical Center |
| [ Summary ] | Although patients with end stage renal disease have a reduced antibody response to influenza vaccines because of the general suppression of the immune systems, associated with uremia, vaccination lowered the likelihood of hospitalization, complications, costs and death rates. Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for all chronic dialysis patients to avoid morbidity and mortality from influenza infection. After rapid diagnosis of influenza with influenza antigen-detection kits, influenza-specific antiviral drugs are recommended to treat patients with the influenza virus until after 48 hours of experiencing symptoms. | |