http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091002132346.htm#
Aspirin Misuse May Have Made 1918 Flu Pandemic Worse
ScienceDaily (Oct. 3, 2009) — 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.”