Treatments For Bird Flu

When a household member is sick

The flu virus is spread when contaminated droplets exit the mouth and nose of an infected person and the virus comes in contact with others. Following these tips will help to protect yourself and others in your home:

Keep everyone's personal items separate.
All household members should avoid sharing computers, pens, papers, clothes, towels, sheets, blankets, food or eating utensils.
Disinfect doorknobs, switches, handles, toys and other surfaces that are commonly touched around the home or workplace.
It is okay to wash everyone's dishes and clothes together.
Use detergent and very hot water.
Wash your hands after handling dirty laundry.
Wear disposable gloves when in contact with or cleaning up bodily fluids.
One person should be the caregiver.
He or She will benefit in wearing a mask when giving care. 1

Care for a loved one with the Flu

A person recovering from flu should have:
Rest and plenty of liquids
No alcohol or tobacco
Medications to relieve flu symptoms
In some cases a health care professional may prescribe antiviral drugs to treat the flu.
Antibiotics will not cure flu. 1

Monitor Pandemic Flu Symptoms

Keep a care Log. Write down the date time, fever symptoms, medicines given and dosage. Make a new entry at least every four hours or when symptoms change. Call your doctor again if your loved one has:

If you cannot reach your Doctor, call your emergency number (eg 999 or 911) for any of the signs below:

Does Antiviral Treatment work?

Limited evidence suggests that some antiviral drugs, notably Oseltamivir (commercially known as Tamiflu), can reduce the duration of viral replication and improve prospects of survival, provided they are administered within 48 hours following symptom onset.

However, prior to the outbreak in Turkey, most patients have been detected and treated late in the course of illness. For this reason, clinical data on the effectiveness of Oseltamivir are limited. Moreover, Oseltamivir and other antiviral drugs were developed for the treatment and prophylaxis of seasonal influenza, which is a less severe disease associated with less prolonged viral replication. Recommendations on the optimum dose and duration of treatment for H5N1 avian influenza, also in children, need to undergo urgent review, and this is being undertaken by WHO. 2

When should antiviral treatment be given?

In suspected cases, oseltamivir should be prescribed as soon as possible (ideally, within 48 hours following symptom onset) to maximize its therapeutic benefits. However, given the significant mortality currently associated with H5N1 infection and evidence of prolonged viral replication in this disease, administration of the drug should also be considered in patients presenting later in the course of illness. 2

What is the recommended dose of Oseltamivir (Tamiflu)

Currently recommended doses of Oseltamivir for the treatment of influenza are contained in the product information at the manufacturer’s web site. The recommended dose of oseltamivir for the treatment of influenza, in adults and adolescents13 years of age and older, is 150 mg per day, given as 75 mg twice a day for five days. 2

Can Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) be used on Babies

Oseltamivir is not indicated for the treatment of children younger than one year of age. 2

How long should treatment last?

Treatment should last for Five days. As the duration of viral replication may be prolonged in cases of H5N1 infection, clinicians should consider increasing the duration of treatment to seven to ten days in patients who are not showing a clinical response. 2

In cases of severe infection with the H5N1 virus, clinicians may need to consider increasing the recommended daily dose or the duration of treatment, keeping in mind that doses above 300 mg per day are associated with increased side effects. 2

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References and sources

  1. http://www.co.franklin.oh.us/Board_of_Health/pandemic_flu_home_care_brochure.pdf
  2. http://www.who.int

 

All information supplied here is done so freely and Adveticus Limited takes no responsibility for the outcome if any or all of this advice is taken. All advice used from these pages is at your own risk.