Influenza virus shedding—Excretion patterns and effects of antiviral treatment

Factors promoting the prolonged shedding of the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza virus in patients treated with oseltamivir for 5 days

“…In our present study, 75 and 150 mg of oseltamivir were administered twice daily for simple and complicated influenza infections, respectively. These two doses of oseltamivir do not differ significantly in terms of reducing viral shedding and titers in naturally acquired influenza infections 22, 23, 24. In the present study, we found there is no significant difference in viral shedding between high dose of oseltamivir and standard dose ( P  = 0·71).…”

“…Oseltamivir (a neuraminidase inhibitor) is a first‐line influenza drug that has been shown to effectively reduce both the severity of symptoms and the duration of infection 23. In our present study, 75 and 150 mg of oseltamivir were administered twice daily for simple and complicated influenza infections, respectively.…”

“…Antiviral therapy has been proven to reduce the viral shedding period of seasonal influenza 22, 23, 24. Oseltamivir (a neuraminidase inhibitor) is a first‐line influenza drug that has been shown to effectively reduce both the severity of symptoms and the duration of infection 23.…”

Influenza A(H1N1) outbreak in a long-term care facility for severely handicapped residents, Slovenia, March–April 2009

“…Intranasal virus application is different from natural infection, which can be a consequence of indirect contact with infected respiratory secretions. After natural infection, children and people with immunity impairment secrete influenza virus longer than immunocompetent adults do [16,17]. In our investigation, most of the cases had viral RNA in their swabs after more than five days since the onset of illness, even after the symptoms disappeared.…”

Clinical and epidemiological findings in patients with pandemic A(H1N1) 2009 influenza in uppsala county, Sweden

“…However, in patients with underlying medical conditions 64% received the antiviral treatment compared with 24% in those without a medical condition ( Table 5). During the pandemic 2009 in the USA,hospitalizations were believed averted because of the effect of the antiviral drug [19], indicating benefits of antiviral therapy, particularly for individuals with underlying medical conditions [20]. However, receiving the antiviral drugs early in the course of the disease is crucial [21].…”