WHO recommends early antiviral treatment for at risk groups with suspected swine flu

doi:10.1136/bmj.b4831

Published 13 November 2009, doi:10.1136/bmj.b4831
Cite this as: BMJ 2009;339:b4831

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WHO recommends early antiviral treatment for at risk groups with suspected swine flu

John Zarocostas

¹ Geneva

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

People in groups at high risk of complications—such aspregnant women, children under 2 years old, and people withunderlying medical conditions—and who are suspected ofhaving swine flu should be treated promptly with antiviral drugs,the World Health Organization said on 12 November.

The updated clinical management guidelines were announced amidan upsurge in cases of pandemic flu in some countries in Europeand Asia.

Previously, WHO guidance focused on how to treat severe casesand limited use of antivirals because of poor access to thedrugs in some regions. But experience of the virus has taughtdoctors the importance of early treatment to prevent progressionof severe diseases, said Nikki Shindo, a WHO specialist in theclinical aspects of flu.

In some countries, including Ukraine, Afghanistan, and Mongolia,health authorities are reporting that "hospitals and clinicsare overwhelmed with the number of patients they are treating,"said Dr . . . [Full text of this article]

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