INFLUENZA FAQs

What is avian flu?

Avian means bird

• chickens
• ducks
• turkeys [12]

Avian flu in humans

Symptoms of avian flu in humans

Symptoms of avian influenza in humans have ranged from typical human flu-like symptoms (such as fever, cough, sore throat, and muscle aches) to pneumonia, severe respiratory diseases (such as acute respiratory distress), and other life-threatening complications.[12]

Avian Influenza A (H5N1): A special concern

Of the avian flu viruses that have infected humans, H5N1 has caused the largest number of detected cases of severe disease and death in humans.

More than half of those people reported to be infected with the H5N1 virus have died.

Most cases have occurred in previously healthy children and young adults and have resulted from direct or close contact with H5N1-infected poultry or H5N1-contaminated surfaces. In general, H5N1 remains a very rare disease in people. The H5N1 virus does not infect humans easily, and if a person is infected, spread of the virus to another person is rare.[12]

Drug-resistance to H5N1 virus in humans

The H5N1 virus that has caused human illness and death in Asia is resistant to two of the antiviral medications commonly used for influenza—amantadine and rimantadine.[12] Drug resistance is always of concern to public health officials because it reduces the number of available treatment options.

 
Important Safety Information About RELENZA

• Serious cases of bronchospasm, including fatalities, have been reported during treatment with RELENZA in patients with and without underlying airway disease. Many of these cases were reported during postmarketing, and causality was difficult to assess
  
• RELENZA SHOULD BE DISCONTINUED IN ANY PATIENT WHO DEVELOPS BRONCHOSPASM OR DECLINE IN RESPIRATORY FUNCTION; immediate treatment and hospitalization may be required
  
• Safety and efficacy have not been demonstrated in patients with high-risk underlying medical conditions
  
• Patients should be instructed in the use of the delivery system. Instructions should include a demonstration whenever possible
  
• If treatment with RELENZA is considered for a patient with underlying airway disease, the potential risks and benefits should be carefully weighed. If a decision is made to prescribe RELENZA for such a patient, this should be done only under conditions of careful monitoring of respiratory function, close observation, and appropriate supportive care including availability of fast-acting bronchodilators
  
• Common adverse events in treatment and prophylaxis studies with RELENZA were nausea, diarrhea, sinusitis, viral respiratory infections, headaches, nasal signs and symptoms. The incidence of these adverse events was similar in both groups for RELENZA and placebo-treated groups
  
• Please see complete Prescribing Information for RELENZA