The devastation of the 1918-1919 influenza pandemic is well known, but a new article suggests a surprising factor in the high death toll: the misuse of aspirin. Appearing in the November 1 issue of Clinical Infectious Diseases and available online now, the article sounds a cautionary note as present day concerns about the novel H1N1 virus run high.
High aspirin dosing levels used to treat patients during the 1918-1919 pandemic are now known to cause, in some cases, toxicity and a dangerous build up of fluid in the lungs, which may have contributed to the incidence and severity of symptoms, bacterial infections, and mortality. Additionally, autopsy reports from 1918 are consistent with what we know today about the dangers of aspirin toxicity, as well as the expected viral causes of death.
The motivation behind the improper use of aspirin is a cautionary tale, said author Karen Starko, MD. In 1918, physicians did not fully understand either the dosing or pharmacology of aspirin, yet they were willing to recommend it. Its use was promoted by the drug industry, endorsed by doctors wanting to "do something," and accepted by families and institutions desperate for hope.
"Understanding these natural forces is important when considering choices in the future," Dr. Starko said. "Interventions cut both ways. Medicines can save and improve our lives. Yet we must be ever mindful of the importance of dose, of balancing benefits and risks, and of the limitations of our studies."
More information: Clinical Infectious Diseases 2009;49:000-000, DOI: 10.1086/606060
Source: Infectious Diseases Society of America (news : web)
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x646d63
3 / 5 (4) Oct 02, 2009And why should we assume things are any different today? What's today's aspirin? Untested vaccines? Anti-viral drugs?
fuzz54
3 / 5 (2) Oct 02, 2009kvetch
3 / 5 (2) Oct 02, 2009You'll note that the article says "autopsy reports from 1918 are consistent with what we know today about the dangers of aspirin toxicity, as well as the expected viral causes of death", suggesting that you can't tell the difference between a death due to aspirin toxicity and one due to the virus. Not to mention the number of related pneumonia deaths. So why blame aspirin, unless it was (1) in widespread use (and this was a world-wide epidemic), (2) known to have been over-prescribed (more than take two aspirin and call me in the morning). Otherwise, this is just speculation.
magpies
3 / 5 (1) Oct 03, 2009jerryd
3 / 5 (2) Oct 03, 2009Aspirin has another quality that few understand. Fever is what tells your body to attack a virus or other infection. By taking aspirin you lower your body's immune system to heal yourself.
I regularly cure my colds, flu's rather quickly by wrapping myself up in blankets and stay as hot as safe, about 102F for most adults and usually beat it overnight when most others take 2-5 days.
I only take aspirin for headaches and 1 every 2-3 days for my heart. When sick I stop taking it.
More people die from medicine than about any other reason so be very careful and only take what you really need and doesn't hurt you.
I took Lipitor and it caused fibromyalgia systems, muscle pain/soreness so bad it made me bed ridden. Once I quit the pain stopped and never came back. ThI think it caused my mother's too.
Most drug companies are only interested in selling their drugs whether they are the best or not. I wouldn't use any drug under 2 yrs old unless it was the only choice.
Nartoon
1 / 5 (1) Oct 03, 2009