title: Antiviral therapy of influenza.
abstract: Influenza viruses are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide despite the availability of an effective vaccine. The emergence of highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses in southeast Asia, which can infect and kill humans and for which there is no vaccine, has heightened the need to establish a supply of effective antivirals. Two effective classes of anti-influenza drugs are currently available, and many attractive targets exist for further development. This review presents the current status of antiviral therapy of, and highlights the challenges presented by, the threat of pandemic influenza.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 332 North Lauderdale Street, Memphis, TN 38105-2794, USA. jon.mccullers@stjude.org
authors.forename: Jonathan A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: McCullers
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D009975:Orthomyxoviridae / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents