Estimating Antiviral Effectiveness Against Pandemic Influenza Using Household Data

Main Category: Flu / Cold / SARS
Also Included In: Bird Flu / Avian Flu;  Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses
Article Date: 03 Dec 2008 - 10:00 PST

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Antiviral drugs play a central role in current plans for managing an influenza pandemic.

However, their ability to reduce symptoms and infectivity in cases, and to reduce susceptibility of individuals given antivirals prophylactically must be confirmed for the pandemic virus strain.

We present a technique for estimating antiviral effectiveness from data that can gathered easily from infected households during the early stages of an influenza pandemic. Such estimates are crucial for the effective use of limited antiviral stockpiles.

Journal of the Royal Society Interface

Journal of the Royal Society Interface is the Society's cross-disciplinary publication promoting research at the interface between the physical and life sciences. It offers rapidity, visibility and high-quality peer review and is ranked fifth in JCR's multidisciplinary category. The journal also incorporates Interface Focus, a peer-reviewed, themed supplement, each issue of which concentrates on a specific cross-disciplinary subject.

Journal of the Royal Society Interface