Table 10.
Possibilities for antiviral treatment and prevention of severe viral pneumonia
| Treatment | Prevention | |
|---|---|---|
| Influenza A and B viruses | Oseltamivir (oral); zanamivir (inhalation, intravenous); peramivir (intravenous) | Vaccines (inactivated, live); oseltamivir; zanamivir |
| Influenza A virus | Amantadine (oral); rimantadine (oral) | Vaccines (inactivated, live); oseltamivir; zanamivir |
| Respiratory syncytial virus | Ribavirin (inhalation, intravenous) | Palivizumab (intramuscular) |
| Adenovirus | Cidofovir (intravenous) | Vaccine for types 4 and 7a |
| Rhinovirus | Pleconarilb | Alfa interferon (intranasal) |
| Enteroviruses | Pleconarilb | Alfa interferon (intranasal) |
| Human metapneumovirus | Ribavirin (intravenous) | Alfa interferon (intranasal) |
| Hantavirus | Ribavirin (intravenous) | Alfa interferon (intranasal) |
| Varicella-zoster virus | Acyclovir (intravenous) | Vaccine |
a
Long successful use in U.S. military conscripts, no production now.
b
Has been used for compassionate cases.
Data from Ruuskanen O, Lahti E, Jennings LC, et al. Viral pneumonia. Lancet 2011;377:1264–75.