Mild infection of a novel H7N9 avian influenza virus in children in Shanghai

Yu, Xuelian; Zhang, Xi; He, Yi; Wu, Huanyu; Gao, Xia; Pan, Qichao; Shen, Jiaren; Zhu, Jianming; Chen, Hongyou; Zhu, Yiyi; Wu, Fan; Wang, Jianwei; Yuan, Zhengan

As an inhibitor of influenza virus polymerase, Ribavirin has been reported to have an antiviral effect against the avian influenza H5N1 viruses in mice. 13 Both mild patients in this study were given Ribavirin on the second day post-infection. From our limited data, it appears that Ribavirin may help in mild cases and speed recovery because the inhibitor showed effectiveness during early treatment of H7N9infected patients to some extent. As a neuraminidase inhibitor, Oseltamivir also has activity against influenza viruses. Because the antiviral resistance to Oseltamivir among circulating influenza viruses is currently low, this drug is prescribed to patients with influenza infections. In this study, in 85.7% (6/7) and 80.0% (8/10) of severe and fatal patient cases, respectively, the patient took Oseltamivir, as well as one patient in a mild patient case. The mild patient took Oseltamivir on day 3 following disease onset, while the six severe patients were given Oseltamivir on the sixth day. The eight fatal cases took Oseltamivir on the seventh day after disease onset. Out of the 10 patients who died, two were never given anti-viral medicine. Compared to the two patients who died that did not take Oseltamivir (5.5 days), the median disease spectrum of the eight fatal cases that received Oseltamivir was significantly longer (12.5 days). Oseltamivir may be effective against H7N9 infection when used during the prodromal period of disease.