The purpose of this document is to provide a basis for advice to
clinicians on the use of the currently available antivirals fo patients
presenting with illness due to influenza virus infection as well the
potential use of the medicines for chemoprophylais. The document
addresses specifically the two neuraminidase inhibitors oseltamivir
and zanamivir, and the two M2 inhibitors amantadine and rimantadine.
It includes recommendations on the use of some other potential
pharmacological treatments. While the focus of the document is on
management of patients with pandemic influenza (H1N1) 2009 virus
infection, the document includes guidance on the use of the antivirals
for other seasonal influenza virus strains, and for infections due to novel
influenza A virus strains. WHO recommends that country and local public
health authorities issue local guidance for clinicians from time to time
that places these recommendations in the context of epidemiological
and antiviral susceptibility data on the locally circulating influeza strains.
This guidance expands on the recommendations published in May 2009
titled ʺClinical management of human infection with new influenza A (H1N1)
virus: Initial guidanceʺ. The recommendations are based on a review of
data obtained with previously circulating strains, and treatment of human
H5N1 influenza virus infections. It is anticipated that as the prevalence and
severity of the current epidemic changes, further information will become
available that may warrant revision of the recommendations.
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