If the infected person resides in Brazil, it is mandatory that the infection is reported to the health authority so that a proper investigation of the contacts can be completed. This investigation will help to determine the probable source of the infection. Treatment
It is extremely difficult to successfully treat BPF, mainly because of the difficulty obtaining a proper diagnosis. Since the disease starts out with what seems to be a common case of conjunctivitis, H. aegyptius is not susceptible to the antibiotic eye drops that are being used to treat it. This treatment is ineffective because it treats only the local ocular infection, whereas if it progresses to BPF, systemic antibiotic treatment is required. Although BPF is susceptible to many commonly used antibiotics, including ampicillin, cefuroxime, cefotaxime, rifampin, and chloramphenicol, by the time it is diagnosed the disease has progressed too much to be effectively treated. However, with the fast rate of progression of BPF it is unlikely that it will be successfully treated. With antibiotic therapy, the mortality rate of BPF is around 70%. References
Barbosa, S.F.C. ; Hoshino-Shimizu, S.; das Gracas A. Alknin, M.; Goto, H. (2003). "Implications of Haemophilus influenzae Biogroup aegyptius Hemagglutinins in the Pathogenesis of Brazilian Purpuric Fever". Journal of Infectious Diseases. 188 (1): 74–80. doi:10.1086/375739. PMID 12825174. Harrison, L.H. ; Da Silva, G.A. ; Pittman, M.; Fleming, D.W.; Vranjac, A.; Broome, C.V. (1989). "Epidemiology and Clinical Spectrum of Brazilian Purpuric Fever". Journal of Clinical Microbiology. 27 (4): 599–604. doi:10.1128/JCM.27.4.599-604.1989. PMC 267380. PMID 2656737. Harrison, L.H. ; Simonsen, V.; Waldman, E.A. (2008).
Felodipine is a medication of the calcium channel blocker type which is used to treat high blood pressure. It was patented in 1978 and approved for medical use in 1988. Medical uses
Felodipine is used to treat high blood pressure and stable angina.It should not be used for people who are pregnant, have acute heart failure, are having a heart attack, have an obstructed heart valve, or have obstructions that block bloodflow out of the heart.For people with liver failure the dose needs to be lowered, because felodipine is cleared by the liver. Adverse effects
The only very common side effect, occurring in more than 1/10 people, is pain and swelling in the arms and legs.Common side effects, occurring in between 1% and 10% of people, include flushing, headache, heart palpitations, dizziness and fatigue.Felodipine can exacerbate gingivitis. Interactions
Felodipine is metabolized by cytochrome P450 3A4, so substances that inhibit or activate CYP3A4 can strongly effect how much felodipine is present.CYP3A4 inhibitors, which increase the amount of felodipine available per dose, include cimetidine, erythromycin, itraconazole, ketoconazole, HIV protease inhibitors, and grapefruit juice.CYP3A4 activators, which decrease the amount of felodipine available per dose, include phenytoin, carbamazepine, rifampicin, barbiturates, efavirenz, nevirapine, and Saint Johns wort. Mechanism of action
Felodipine is a calcium channel blocker.