PHM-Exch> OTHERWISE HEALTHY PEOPLE DO NOT NEED ANTIVIRALS FOR H1N1, SAYS WHO

[Claudio Schuftan]

From: UNNews <UNNews at un.org>

New York, Aug 21 2009  2:00PM
Otherwise healthy people infected with the
<"http://www.un.org/apps/news/infocusRel.asp?infocusID=139&Body=H1N1&Body1=
">H1N1
virus do not need to be treated with antiviral drugs, the United Nations
World
Health Organization
(<"
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/notes/h1n1_use_antivirals_20090820/en/index.html
">WHO)
said today as it issued new
<"
http://www.who.int/csr/resources/publications/swineflu/h1n1_use_antivirals_20090820/en/index.html
">guidelines
in the use of the drugs against the pandemic.

Worldwide, most infected patients continue to display typical influenza
symptoms
and fully recover within a week without any form of medical treatment.

According to the new guidelines, formed by consensus by a global group of
experts, healthy patients with uncomplicated illnesses do not need to take
antivirals.

The guidelines emphasize using drugs such as oseltamivir and zanamivir, to
which
the pandemic virus is susceptible, to prevent severe illness and deaths,
reduce
the need for hospitalization, and shorten hospital stays.

When properly prescribed, oseltamivir is found to significantly curb the
risk of
pneumonia, a leading cause of death for both pandemic and seasonal
influenza.

WHO recommends treatment with the drug as soon as possible among people who
are
severely or whose conditions begin to deteriorate. Where oseltamivir is not
available, zanamivir can be given.

The virus is currently resistant to a second class of antivirals, known as
M2
inhibitors.

Pregnant women are among the groups considered to be at increased risk, and
WHO
recommends that they receive antiviral treatment as soon as possible after
the
onset of symptoms.

The agency cautioned that the presence of underlying medical conditions is
not a
reliable indicator of all or even most cases of severe illness, with some 40
per
cent of severe cases now occurring in previously healthy children and adults
under the age of 50.

For children, the guidelines call for prompt treatment for children –
including
those under five years of age – with severe or worsening illnesses, as well
as
those at risk of more severe or complicated illness.

Otherwise healthy children over five years, WHO said, do not need antiviral
treatment unless their conditions persist or worsen.

If someone with confirmed or suspected H1N1 infections shows symptoms
including
shortness of breath, chest pain and high fever lasting beyond three days,
they
should seek immediate medical attention.

Among children, warning signs include fast or difficult breathing, lack of
alertness, difficulty in waking up and little or no desire to play.

Earlier this week, WHO, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian
Affairs (OCHA), the UN Children’s Fund and other groups issued a “Call to
Action” to support governments and communities in their bid to minimize the
virus’ impact.
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