Antivirals in the management of an influenza pandemic.
The Australian Government has an extensive stockpile of antivirals (neuraminidase inhibitors) to be used if an influenza pandemic occurs. Neuraminidase inhibitors reduce the duration of the symptoms of seasonal influenza infection by 1 day on average, when used as treatment within 48 hours of disease onset. Neuraminidase inhibitors prevent infection in up to 74% of people when administered as prophylaxis. Resistance of seasonal influenza viruses to neuraminidase inhibitors is low. The safety and efficacy (including resistance) of neuraminidase inhibitors against pandemic influenza or the virus of current concern in pandemic planning, influenza A/H5N1, is not known, and further research is needed.
Harrod
Mary Ellen
ME
National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia. mharrod@nchecr.unsw.edu.au
Emery
Sean
S
Dwyer
Dominic E
DE
D000547:Amantadine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control*; D024882:Drug Resistance, Viral; D006078:Government Programs; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods; D053124:Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009439:Neuraminidase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D053139:Oseltamivir / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014944:World Health Organization; D053243:Zanamivir / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D007252:Influenza Vaccines; D053139:Oseltamivir; D000547:Amantadine; D009439:Neuraminidase; D053243:Zanamivir