Therapy | Bird flu

Therapy

Even the suspicion of an avian flu infection is enough to justify isolating the affected patient. Only in this way can the spread and transmission of the viral pathogen to other people be prevented. The actual treatment of avian flu is quite difficult, because most of the known drugs that are directly directed against the avian flu virus (so-called “antiviral drugs”) are only effective within a short time after infection.

Especially neuraminidase inhibitors directed against the surface proteins of the avian flu virus have shown good efficacy. The most frequently administered drugs in this context are: zanamivir and oseltamivir. The efficacy of these drugs is based on inhibition of virus spread within the host body.

However, once the viral pathogens have entered the body cells, efficacy can no longer be proven. In such cases, the treatment of avian flu can only be symptomatic. This means that only the symptoms of the affected patient are alleviated.

The virus itself must be fought by the body’s own immune system. Among the most important measures in the symptomatic treatment of avian flu are Neither for pain relief, nor to lower the fever in children acetylsalicylic acid-containing medicines (Aspirin) may be used. The reason for this is that aspirin can cause a life-threatening disease, Reye’s syndrome, in connection with the avian flu virus.

This disease is an impairment of the brain that can be observed approximately three to five days after the first symptoms of avian flu appear. The reason for the development of Reye’s syndrome after taking acetylsalicylic acid-containing medication in children with avian flu is a malfunction of the smallest cell structures (mitochondria). These malfunctions mainly affect the mitochondria of the liver, skeletal muscles and brain.

As a result of the structural changes, the energy supply of the affected cells comes to an almost complete standstill.As bird flu progresses, bacterial pathogens can attack the lungs and lead to the development of pneumonia. The risk of developing an accompanying pneumonia is particularly high in patients suffering from avian flu because the immune system of those affected is already severely weakened. Therefore, if accompanying pneumonia occurs, it must also be treated specifically. In this context, antibiotics of the classes beta-lactamase inhibitors, cephalosporins and macrolides are mainly used.

  • Intravenous (via the vein) fluid supply
  • Oxygen administration
  • Antipyretic drugs like paracetamol or ibuprofen
  • Pain relief