Flu Followed by Bacterial Infection Can Be Deadly

by KYW's medical editor Dr. Brian McDonough

It is something that we don’t think about but it can happen and it can be quite serious. I am talking about the combination of flu infection with bacterial infections.

There have been many reported cases where people have died from such a combination. In fact with the appearance of the H1N1 flu virus there was a concern that this type of infection followed by bacterial pneumonia could occur and become extremely complicated. 

Infectious disease experts see this quite often.  There have been associations of staph aureus with post-influenza virus infections since the 50s and 60s especially in times of pandemic influenza, people having a viral illness with flu and then having a secondary staph pneumonia.

It is not something the average person has to worry about but doctors on the front lines are being reminded to keep it in their thoughts.