Thread: Influenza Drug MCQ

Which one of the following statements about treatment for influenza is true?

A. Amantadine is effective for treatment of influenza B, but not for influenza A.
B. Zanamivir works by preventing neuraminidase activity of influenza A, but is
ineffective for treatment of influenza B.
C. Amantadine, zanamivir, and oseltamivir may be used to prevent influenza in an
individual who has not been immunized.
D. Treatment for influenza with amantadine or neuraminidase inhibitors is only
useful if initiated within one week of onset of symptoms.
E. All of the above are true.

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Answer: C. There are two classes of medications used for the treatment of influenza: ion channel blockers (amantadine, rimantadine) and neuraminidase inhibitors (oseltamivir, zanamivir). Ion-channel blockers are only effective against influenza A infection, while neuraminidase inhibitors are effective against both influenza A and B. Treatment with any of these agents must be initiated within the
first 48 hours of symptoms to impact clinical outcomes. All of these agents may be used to prevent influenza infection in the patient who has not been immunized, although ion-channel blockers will only prevent infection with influenza A.[/hide]

Answer is c
they are started within 2 days of start of symptoms..