Prophylactic and symptomatic treatment of influenza. Current and developing options.
The influenza vaccine is the primary method for the prevention and control of influenza. Anti-influenza drugs also have been shown to be useful prophylactically and to shorten the duration of illness by 1 or 2 days when started within 48 hours of symptom onset. In this article, Dr Mossad discusses indications for the vaccine and compares the relative advantages and disadvantages of each of the anti-influenza drugs.
Mossad
S B
SB
Department of Infectious Diseases, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, 9500 Euclid Ave, S-32, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA. mossads@ccf.org
D000081:Acetamides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006146:Guanidines; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009439:Neuraminidase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D053139:Oseltamivir; D011714:Pyrans; D012794:Sialic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013997:Time Factors; D053243:Zanamivir
D000081:Acetamides; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D006146:Guanidines; D007252:Influenza Vaccines; D011714:Pyrans; D012794:Sialic Acids; D053139:Oseltamivir; D009439:Neuraminidase; D053243:Zanamivir