Medications

Antiviral Medications

Prescription medicines approved for human flu viruses might also work in preventing and treating bird flu virus in humans. These drugs are called antiviral medications. Sometimes flu viruses can become resistant to these drugs, so these medications may not always work. Antiviral drugs work to disrupt the viruses' ability to replicate or make copies of itself in the human body.

Antiviral drugs can be used to decrease the severity and duration of a flu attack. There are four kinds of these medications. Amantadine (Symmetrel) and rimantadine (Flumadine) are active only against human subtypes of influenza A and have already been shown not to work for bird flu in humans. The CDC has issued an alert regarding amantadine and rimantadine for the 2005/2006 flu season due to viral resistance; therefore, these agents should not be used for any flu symptoms. For more information, see CDC Health Alert.

Zanamivir (Relenza) and oseltamivir (Tamiflu) are effective against both influenza A and B in humans and so far are expected to work against bird flu, although this has not been proven. It is important to understand that antiviral drugs help to decrease the severity and shorten the duration of flu symptoms, but are not specific enough to effectively get rid of the virus.

• These antiviral drugs are most effective when given within 48 hours of the onset of illness. They can decrease the duration of the disease by one day if used within this early time period. They are usually given for a period of about five to seven days. Not enough information is available to conclude whether or not these drugs can prevent complications of the flu.
• These medications are not without side effects. These can range from symptoms such as nervousness, poor concentration, nausea, and vomiting to serious effects such as worsening of asthma if you have a history of asthma. Discuss these potential side effects with your doctor.
• Individuals are not advised to stock up on antiviral medications in anticipation of a bird flu outbreak. If used for viral infections without a physician's guidance, viral resistance to the medications can develop.

Other Medications

• When the lungs get infected causing pneumonia, other antiviral drugs such as ribavirin and sometimes antibiotics may be needed.
• For nasal congestion, the doctor may suggest the use of over-the-counter decongestants. Anyone with high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, thyroid disease, or glaucoma (high pressure of the eye) should not use these decongestants.
• Phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine) and oxymetazoline hydrochloride (Neo-Synephrine 12 Hour, Afrin) are available as nasal sprays or drops. Use two to three sprays in each nostril as indicated on the label. Only use these nasal sprays or drops for up to three days. If they are used for more than that, the medication can actually worsen the congestion. These medications are not recommended for children.
• Pseudoephedrine tablets (Sudafed) tablets may help alleviate congestion.

Vaccine Development

No vaccine has yet been developed to protect humans against the H5N1 bird flu virus. The standard flu vaccine developed each year does not protect against this strain. Drug companies are working to develop an experimental vaccine against H5N1 and other bird flu virus subtypes. Because no one knows what the mutating bird flu virus might be that affects humans, it is difficult to develop a vaccine. Should a virus emerge, a vaccine would have to be formulated and produced quickly. People may need more than one dose to create immunity.