title: Oseltamivir in the management of influenza.
abstract: Seasonal influenza causes significant morbidity and mortality in adults and children. However, a worldwide influenza pandemic could cause considerably more deaths (20-40 million) and would majorly disrupt everyday life in most countries. Oseltamivir has proven to be safe and effective for the prevention or treatment of all known influenza subtypes, reducing the severity and duration of symptoms, the complications arising from influenza infection (pneumonia, hospitalisation, antibiotic use) and mortality. Oseltamivir has been shown to be effective against pandemic strains of influenza, including the currently circulating strain (H5N1). As a result, the World Health Organization has recommended the stockpiling of oseltamivir in the event of an influenza pandemic.
authors.affiliation: Retroscreen Virology Limited, The Medical Building, Queen Mary, University of London, London, E1 4NS, UK. j.oxford@retroscreen.com
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Oxford
mesh_terms: D000081:Acetamides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D024882:Drug Resistance, Viral; D004363:Drug Utilization; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D053124:Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009439:Neuraminidase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D053139:Oseltamivir; D014944:World Health Organization
chemical_list: D000081:Acetamides; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D053139:Oseltamivir; D009439:Neuraminidase