[Amantadine in the prevention of nosocomial influenza]

Amantadine prophylaxis was performed in 91 patients during influenza A epidemics. It was used for patients with chronic heart, pulmonary and metabolic disease, for immundeficienty and elderly patients. Patients with gravidity, lactation, epilepsy, peptid ulcer or serious liver disorder were excluded from prophylaxis. The daily dose was 200 mg, which was reduced to 100 mg in people over 65. The chemoprophylaxis was combined with killed influenza vaccine in 6 patients. No influenza-like illness occurred among patients with prevention. Light side-effect was observed in 5 patients. Ten peoples who were excluded from prophylaxis caught serologic proven influenza. Amantadine prophylaxis is appropriate for prevention of nosocomial influenza among high-risk patients in institutions because of other diseases.