title: Antiviral drugs in the immunocompetent host: part II. Treatment of influenza and respiratory syncytial virus infections.
abstract: Family physicians should be familiar with the various drugs available for treating and preventing viral infections. Part II of this two-part article focuses on agents used to manage influenza and respiratory syncytial virus. Rimantadine and amantadine traditionally have been used to prevent and treat influenza type A infections. The neuraminidase inhibitors zanamivir and oseltamivir have a broadened spectrum of activity in the treatment and prevention of influenza types A and B. Ribavirin has been used in some high-risk infants to treat respiratory syncytial virus infections, and palivizumab can be used for prophylaxis.
authors.affiliation: University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Colgan
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Michocki
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Greisman
authors.forename: Tracy A Wolff
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Moore
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007121:Immunocompetence; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018357:Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents