NCCN adds swine flu to guide for cancer-related infections

The NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology for the Prevention and Treatment of Cancer-Related Infections has been updated to include information about the effect that the H1N1 virus may have on the diagnosis and treatment of cancer treatment-related infections.

The H1N1 reference is located in the section of the guidelines for treating lung infiltrates in febrile neutropenic patients. Certain tests and antiviral treatments that are effective in more common strains of influenza and viruses may not be applicable to the H1N1 strain, according to the guidelines.