PANDEMIC FLU FAQs

What treatments are available
for pandemic flu?

Vaccines lag behind emergence of pandemic flu

Vaccines are the most important intervention for reducing the amount of illness and mortality of a flu pandemic. However, no country can have adequate supplies of vaccine at the start of a flu pandemic and for many months thereafter.[18] The reason for the delay is because a vaccine tailored to the pandemic strain of the virus must first be developed and produced.[19]

Vaccine for H5N1 may provide some protection

Also, if the current H5N1 avian virus developed the capability to easily spread from human to human and caused a pandemic, a vaccine is now available that might provide early limited protection against the flu virus. The vaccine is to be stockpiled by the US federal government for distribution by public health officials if needed.[19]

Antiviral drugs might be useful for prophylaxis (prevention of illness) or treatment purposes. Two drugs (in the neuraminidase inhibitors class) have been shown to reduce the severity and duration of illness caused by seasonal influenza. Countries are now stockpiling antiviral drugs to use in the event of a pandemic flu.[9]

next: Pandemic Flu Preparation

 
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

No country can have
adequate supplies
of vaccine at the start
of a flu pandemic and
for many months
thereafter.