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Immunization against bird flu
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Type A influenza is treated with antivirals prescribed by a physician. The World Health Organization recommends administering, first of all, such preparations as oseltamivir, Tamiflu (for patients over 12 years old) and arbidol (Russian drug). When arbidol is used for treatment of Bird flu, its dosage is increased twofold, since virus A(H5N1) demonstrated an increased resistance to arbidol in scientific studies. Remantadine and algirem are also administered.
Among the antipyretic drugs, paracetamol, ibuprofen, or nise can be administered for symptom treatment. As for salicylates (aspirin, analgin, antigrippin), they are strongly contraindicated for treatment of Bird flu. Antibiotics are prescribed only when mixed type pneumonia is suspected. Cycloferon and other varieties of interferon are recommended as extra precaution.
According to Alexey Belyaev, mass immunization against A(H4N1) influenza is not required, since the risk of infection exists for limited categories of population—those who have immediate contact with live poultry. And as for a threat of virus mutation, which will make it aggressive (the virus will be transmitted from man to man), it is too early to speak about a vaccine, as nobody can predict what the new strain will be like. But what should those who dread the coming influenza pandemic do? Alexey Belyaev’s answer to this question is “Get vaccinated!” He is talking about vaccination against human influenza virus, which is now underway. To a certain degree, this vaccination protects from any influenza virus.
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