Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 briefing note 12

Antiviral use and the risk of drug resistance: 25 SEPTEMBER 2009 | GENEVA –

Growing international experience in the treatment of pandemic H1N1 virus infections underscores the importance of early treatment with the antiviral drugs, oseltamivir or zanamivir. Early treatment is especially important for patients who are at increased risk of developing complications, those who present with severe illness or those with worsening signs and symptoms.[1]

The experience of clinicians, including those who have treated severe cases of pandemic influenza, and national authorities suggests that prompt administration of these drugs following symptom onset reduces the risk of complications and can also improve clinical outcome in patients with severe disease.

This experience further underscores the need to protect the effectiveness of these drugs by minimizing the occurrence and impact of drug resistance. [more at http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/notes/h1n1_antiviral_use_20090925/en/index.html]