Avian Flu Treatment: Antiviral Drugs

Four antiviral drugs (amantadine, rimantadine, zanamavir and oseltamivir) have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment of influenza. These need to be taken within 2 days after becoming sick. If taken at the appropriate time, these drugs can reduce avian influenza symptoms and may shorten the time you are sick by 1 or 2 days and also make you less contagious. All of these drugs must be prescribed by a doctor and taken for 3-5 consecutive days (5 days for oseltamivir and zanamivir). When used for prevention, they are about 70% to 90% effective in preventing illness in healthy adults.