Flu vaccination keeps COPD patients out of the hospital

(Elsevier) A new study published in the January issue of CHEST ® establishes that patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) face heightened risks of death, critical illness, and hospitalization if they develop the flu and demonstrates the beneficial effects of influenza vaccination. The report also reveals gaps in care that need to be addressed, including less-than-universal influenza vaccination in patients with COPD and failure to provide an antiviral medication in a timely manner once the patient is diagnosed with the flu.
Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases - Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: news