Influenza medical therapy: Difference between revisions
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(/* Antiviral Medications Recommended for Treatment and Chemoprophylaxis of Influenza Adapted from CDC {{cite web| url=http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/antivirals/summary-clinicians.htm| title=CDC Influenza Antiviral Medications: Summary for Clini...) |
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Children and teenagers with flu symptoms (particularly fever) should avoid taking [[aspirin]] as taking aspirin in the presence of influenza infection (especially [[Influenzavirus B]]) can lead to [[Reye's syndrome]], a rare but potentially fatal disease of the [[liver]].<ref>{{cite news | last = Molotsky | first = Irvin | title = Consumer Saturday - Warning on Flu and Aspirin | publisher = New York Times | date = 1986-02-15 | url = http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=health&res=9A0DEFD7133BF936A25751C0A960948260 | accessdate = 2007-05-25}}</ref> | * Children and teenagers with flu symptoms (particularly fever) should avoid taking [[aspirin]] as taking aspirin in the presence of influenza infection (especially [[Influenzavirus B]]) can lead to [[Reye's syndrome]], a rare but potentially fatal disease of the [[liver]].<ref>{{cite news | last = Molotsky | first = Irvin | title = Consumer Saturday - Warning on Flu and Aspirin | publisher = New York Times | date = 1986-02-15 | url = http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=health&res=9A0DEFD7133BF936A25751C0A960948260 | accessdate = 2007-05-25}}</ref> | ||
===Unconventional treatment=== | ===Unconventional treatment=== | ||
Revision as of 15:24, 24 October 2014
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Influenza Microchapters |
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Risk calculators and risk factors for Influenza medical therapy |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Alejandro Lemor, M.D. [2]
Overview
Medical Therapy
Antiviral Medications
- Antiviral medications with activity against influenza viruses are an important adjunct to influenza vaccine in the control of influenza.
- Influenza antiviral prescription drugs can be used to treat influenza or to prevent influenza.
- Four licensed prescription influenza antiviral agents are available in the United States.
- Two FDA-approved influenza antiviral medications are recommended for use in the United States during the 2013-2014 influenza season:
- Oral oseltamivir (Tamiflu®)
- Inhaled zanamivir (Relenza®)
- Oseltamivir and zanamivir are chemically related antiviral medications known as neuraminidase inhibitors that have activity against both influenza A and B viruses.
- Amantadine and rimantadine are antiviral drugs in a class of medications known as adamantanes.
- Amantadines are active against influenza A viruses, but not influenza B viruses.
- As in recent past seasons, there is a high prevalence (>99%) of influenza A(H3N2) and influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 (2009 H1N1) viruses resistant to adamantanes.
- Therefore, amantadine and rimantadine are not recommended for antiviral treatment or chemoprophylaxis of currently circulating influenza A viruses.
- Antiviral resistance to oseltamivir and zanamivir among circulating influenza viruses is currently low, but this might change.
- Also, antiviral resistance can emerge during or after treatment in certain patients, such as immunosuppressed individuals.
Antiviral Medications Recommended for Treatment and Chemoprophylaxis of Influenza
| Antiviral Agent | Activity Against | Use | Recommended For | Not Recommended for Use in | Adverse Reactions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oseltamivir (Tamiflu®) | Influenza A and B | Treatment | Any age | N/A | Nausea, vomiting. Sporadic, transient neuropsychiatric events (self injury or delirium) mainly reported among Japanese adolescents and adults. |
| Prophylaxis | > 3 months of age | N/A | |||
| Zanamivir (Relenza®) | Influenza A and B | Treatment | > 7 years old | Patients with underlying respiratory disease, such as asthma or COPD | Allergic reactions such as oropharyngeal or facial edema. Diarrhea, nausea, sinusitis, nasal signs and symptoms, bronchitis, cough, headache, dizziness, and ear, nose and throat infections. |
| Prophylaxis | > 5 years old | Patients with underlying respiratory disease, such as asthma or COPD | |||
| Table adapted from CDC [1] | |||||
Symptomatic Therapy
Over the counter (OTC) medicines may be taken to relieve influenza symptoms, but they do not affect the virus. [2]
| Symptom(s) | OTC Medicine |
|---|---|
| Fever, Aches, Pains, Sinus pressure, Sore throat | Analgesics |
| Nasal congestion, Sinus pressure | Decongestants |
| Sinus pressure, Runny nose, Watery eyes, Cough | Antihistamines |
| Cough | Cough suppressant |
| Sore throat | Local anesthetics |
- Children and teenagers with flu symptoms (particularly fever) should avoid taking aspirin as taking aspirin in the presence of influenza infection (especially Influenzavirus B) can lead to Reye's syndrome, a rare but potentially fatal disease of the liver.[3]
Unconventional treatment
Homeopathic and other cold and flu remedies that fail to meet the regulatory requirements as drugs that treat disease, or the standards of evidence-based medicine, are sold as nutritional supplements.
They may be based on extracts of living things, but may lack documentation of their safety and effectiveness.
References
- ↑ "Cold and Flu Guidelines: Influenza". American Lung Association. Retrieved 2007-09-16.
- ↑ Molotsky, Irvin (1986-02-15). "Consumer Saturday - Warning on Flu and Aspirin". New York Times. Retrieved 2007-05-25.