Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-hc48f Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-23T03:27:08.539Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Antiviral Therapy for Avian Influenza Virus (H5N1) Infection at 2 Thai Medical Centers: Survey Findings and Implications for Pandemic Preparedness

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Anucha Apisarnthanarak*
Affiliation:
Division of Infectious Diseases, Thammasat University Hospital, Pratumthani, Thailand
Linda M. Mundy
Affiliation:
Saint Louis University School of Public Health, Saint Louis, Missouri
*
Division of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University Hospital, Pratumthani, Thailand12120 (anapisarn@yahoo.com)

Abstract

In a survey of 150 physicians from an area where avian influenza virus (H5N1) infection is endemic, practice location (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 4.45 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.02–26.4]) and the belief that rapid tests reliably predicted H5N1 infection (aOR, 5.6 [95% CI, 1.14–33.6]) were associated with not prescribing antiviral therapy; the belief that antiviral therapy reduced mortality was associated with prescribing an antiviral agent (aOR, 0.56 [95% CI, 0.14–0.95]).00

Type
Concise Communications
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 2008

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. Beigel, JH, Farrar, J, Han, AM, et al. Avian influenza A (H5N1) infection in humans. N Engl J Med 2005;353:13741385.Google Scholar
2. Chotpitayasunondh, T, Ungchusak, K, Hanshaoworakul, W, et al. Human disease from influenza A (H5N1), Thailand, 2004. Emerg Infect Dis 2005;11:201209.Google Scholar
3. Kitphati, R, Apisarnthanarak, A, Chittaganpitch, M, et al. A nationally coordinated laboratory system for human avian influenza A (H5N1) in Thailand: program design, analysis and evaluation. Clin Infect Dis 2008;46:13951400.Google Scholar
4. Apisarnthanarak, A, Phattanakeitchai, P, Warren, DK, Fraser, VJ. Impact of knowledge and positive attitudes about avian influenza (H5N1 virus infection) on infection control and influenza vaccination practices of Thai healthcare workers. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2008;29:472474.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
5. Apisarnthanarak, A, Kitphati, R, Mundy, LM. Difficulty in the rapid diagnosis of avian influenza A infection: Thailand experience. Clin Infect Dis 2007;44:12521253.Google Scholar
6. Oner, AF, Bay, A, Arslan, S, et al. Avian influenza A (H5N1) infection in eastern Turkey in 2006. New Engl J Med 2006;355:21792185.Google Scholar
7. Apisarnthanarak, A, Warren, DK, Fraser, VJ. Issues relevant to the adoption and modification of hospital infection control recommendations for avian influenza (H5N1 infection) in developing countries. Clin Infect Dis 2007;45:13381342.Google Scholar
8. Hota, S, McGeer, A. Antivirals and the control of influenza outbreaks. Clin Infect Dis 2007;45:13621368.Google Scholar
9. de Jong, MD, Simmons, CP, Thanh, TT, et al. Fatal outcome of human influenza A (H5N1) is associated with high viral load and hypercytokinemia. Nat Med 2006;12:12031207.Google Scholar