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Amantadine for prophylaxis against influenza A
Scandinavian Journal of Infectious Diseases
|January 1, 1987
Summary
Amantadine prophylaxis effectively prevented clinical influenza A in hospitalized patients. However, some patients developed subclinical infections, and hospital staff remained unaffected by the intervention.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Virology
- Hospital Epidemiology
Background:
- Influenza A poses a significant risk in hospital settings.
- Controlling nosocomial spread of influenza is crucial for patient safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of amantadine in preventing influenza A transmission within a hospital ward.
- To assess the occurrence of clinical and subclinical infections during prophylaxis.
Main Methods:
- Amantadine (200 mg daily for 5 days) administered to patients following index cases of influenza A.
- Prophylaxis given to both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients.
- Control group: hospital staff without amantadine exposure.
Main Results:
- No new clinical influenza A cases observed among patients receiving amantadine.
- Three patients on amantadine developed subclinical influenza A infections.
- Eight cases of influenza A occurred among the 23 hospital staff.
Conclusions:
- Amantadine demonstrated effectiveness in preventing clinical influenza A spread among patients.
- Subclinical infections indicate potential limitations of amantadine prophylaxis.
- Hospital staff were not protected, highlighting the need for broader control measures.