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Review
. 2021 Apr 30:9:Doc02.
doi: 10.3205/id000071. eCollection 2021.

Prophylaxis and treatment of influenza: options, antiviral susceptibility, and existing recommendations

Susanne C Duwe  1 , Barbara Schmidt  2 , Barbara C Gärtner  3 , Jörg Timm  4 , Ortwin Adams  4 , Helmut Fickenscher  5 , Michaela Schmidtke  6
Affiliations
Review

Prophylaxis and treatment of influenza: options, antiviral susceptibility, and existing recommendations

Susanne C Duwe et al. GMS Infect Dis. .

Abstract

Influenza viruses of types A and B attack 5-10% of adults and 20-30% of children, thereby causing millions of acute respiratory infections in Germany annually. A significant number of these infections are associated with complications such as pneumonia and bacterial superinfections that need hospitalization and might lead to death. In addition to vaccines, drugs were developed that might support influenza prevention and that can be used to treat influenza patients. The timely application of anti-influenza drugs can inhibit virus replication, help reduce and shorten the symptoms, and prevent death as well as virus transmission. This review concisely describes the mechanism of action, the potential for prophylactic and therapeutic use, and the knowledge on resistance of anti-influenza drugs approved today. However, the main aim is to give an overview on the recommendations available in Germany for the proper use of these drugs. In doing so, the recommendations published in statements and guidelines of medical societies as well as the German influenza pandemic preparedness plan are summarized with the consideration of specific circumstances and groups of patients.

Keywords: baloxavir; infection; neuraminidase; polymerase; resistance.

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Conflict of interest statement

SD, BS, JT, OA, HF and MS declare that they have no competing interests. BG received fees for talks and/or advisory board: Roche, Seqirus, Sanofi, GSK.

Figures

Table 1
Table 1. List of approved anti-influenza drugs (adopted and modified from [13], [78])
Table 2
Table 2. Treatment recommendations for treatment of suspected and/or laboratory-confirmed influenza available from German Guidelines and recommendations
Table 3
Table 3. Summary of clinical trials phase 3 on influenza with baloxavir marboxil, oseltamivir and placebo
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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