Recent Updates
Since February of 1998, tests have been done on a possible treatment for
influenza: the inhalent, zanamivir. In December of 1998, an article in
Lancet was published that described an investigation done in the
Southern Hemisphere. Four hundred fifty-five patients were used in a test
for the effectiveness of zanamivir against influenza A and B. It was
found that compared to a placebo group, zanamivir did decrease the length
of the symptoms, as well as the severity of the symptoms. Because of the
small test population, however, the group conducting the test recommended
that more tests need to be done to confirm the findings.
"Randomized trial of efficacy and safety of inhaled zanamivir in treatment
of influenza A and B virus infections. The MIST (Management of Influenza
in the Southern Hemisphere Trialists) Study Group." Lancet. 12
Dec. 1998, 352(9144): 1872-3.
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