Randomized controlled trial of the effect of regular paracetamol on influenza infection

Jefferies, Sarah; Braithwaite, Irene; Walker, Steven; Weatherall, Mark; Jennings, Lance; Luck, Michelle; Barrett, Kevin; Siebers, Robert; Blackmore, Timothy; Beasley, Richard; Perrin, Kyle

There are a number of methodological issues to consider in the interpretation of our findings. Participants were randomized within 48 h of symptom onset to ensure treatment was initiated early in the course of the illness. The small amount of paracetamol or NSAID used by most participants before randomization is unlikely to have had a clinically significant effect on the natural course of their illness. Additionally, there was variable time between symptom onset and study entry; however, this is likely to mirror what will happen should patients seek medical advice for flu-like symptoms. Despite a predetermined randomization schedule, there was a . § Data not collected from one participant. ¶ Six participants who were influenza A-positive and two participants who were influenza B-positive had other respiratory viruses identified: rhinovirus (n = 2), coronavirus (n = 3), parainfluenza (n = 1), respiratory syncytial virus (n = 1) and both rhinovirus and coronavirus (n = 1). In 20 participants a non-influenza respiratory virus only was identified by PCR: rhinovirus (n = 8), coronavirus (n = 6), parainfluenza (n = 3), respiratory syncytial virus (n = 1), enterovirus (n = 1) and both rhinovirus and parainfluenza (n = 1). In 14 participants no virus was identified by PCR.