UK patients with cystic fibrosis are being hit hard by a wave of influenza in the country.
RT’s Three Key Takeaways:
- Heightened Flu Risk in CF – People with cystic fibrosis are especially vulnerable to the current UK flu surge, as influenza can rapidly worsen lung infections and breathing difficulties, often leading to hospital admission.
- Prevention Is Critical – Experts urge people with CF to get vaccinated promptly, avoid exposure to viral illness, and seek early medical review, as winter flu waves can have serious, even devastating, consequences.
- Research to Reduce Exacerbations – The new UK-wide CF-Tracker study aims to identify which viruses cause the most severe CF flare-ups and develop targeted treatments to prevent hospitalizations and long-term health decline.
People with cystic fibrosis (CF) are uniquely vulnerable to the flu wave currently ripping through the UK, a clinical researcher from The University of Manchester has warned.
Professor Alex Horsley made the comments following last week’s news that flu cases jumped 55% in a week with an average of 2,660 patients a day being treated in an NHS hospital bed – the highest ever for this time of year.
In the North West, the most recent figures show a 36.6% increase in the number of people hospitalised with flu.
NHS England is also urging eligible populations, including those people with CF, to come forward for flu vaccinations as soon as they can avoid becoming seriously ill.
Patients with CF often have chronic infection and cough, usually controlled with nebuliser medications to help them clear mucus in the lungs and antibiotics to control infection.
However influenza can sometimes have devastating consequences from escalating lung infections and breathlessness, resulting in admission to hospital.
Professor Horsley, a leading expert in cystic fibrosis, is a Professor at The University of Manchester respiratory consultant at Wythenshawe Hospital, part of Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust and Medical Director of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Manchester Clinical Research Facility at Wythenshawe Hospital.
He said: “CF is an inherited condition, and one of the most common life-limiting genetic conditions in the UK, affecting around 11000 people.
“It primarily affects the lungs, though also has important impacts on the pancreas, causing malnutrition and diabetes, and on the gut and liver.
“For people with CF, the winter wave of flu and flu-like illnesses can be especially challenging and damaging.
“That is why it is so important people take care at this time of year, make sure they have had their flu vaccine, and do their best to avoid being exposed to those with viral symptoms.
“In our cystic fibrosis centre at Wythenshawe Hospital, we run emergency reviews every weekday to see people acutely unwell and start treatment as soon as possible.
“But we’re also researching better ways to help people with CF and are leading a new study to understand and prevent it.”
For people with CF, the winter wave of flu and flu-like illnesses can be especially challenging and damaging. That is why it is so important people take care at this time of year, make sure they have had their flu vaccine, and do their best to avoid being exposed to those with viral symptoms
Professor Alex Horsley
Previous work in Manchester has highlighted the potential impact of viral infections on people with CF, and shown how these may relate to increased admissions and need for IV antibiotics.
However the new study, part of a multi-million pound Research Innovation Hub funded by the CF Trust, is now hoping to define exactly which viruses are responsible for the worst infections in people with CF, and how they do this.
The researchers plan to use the information to discover and trial new treatments to prevent exacerbations. This study, called “CF-Tracker”, is based at the University of Manchester but involves researchers and clinical teams across the UK.
Professor Horsley added: “Recent advances in CF therapies include a group of drugs called CFTR modulators, and Manchester led the latest clinical trials of these therapies.
“Since the CFTR modulators, people with CF have got used to much better health and reduced lung symptoms.
“But up to a quarter of CF adults still end up requiring IV antibiotics each year, and some require several courses. These are serious events, not just because they disrupt work and home life but because they are associated with faster decline in health and survival.”
