The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently revised its protocols for treating influenza patients, offering guidance for healthcare professionals handling influenza infections, particularly those with pandemic potential.
These updated guidelines aim to assist healthcare providers in managing influenza cases and will also be a valuable resource for policymakers and individuals involved in epidemic and pandemic readiness endeavors.
The updated guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO) now encompass not only seasonal influenza viruses but also animal influenza viruses like avian and swine influenza, which can sporadically infect humans. While current animal influenza viruses typically do not spread between people, they present a potential pandemic risk in the future.
The revised recommendations offer guidance on the use of antiviral medications and treatments, including steroids for immune system regulation, for patients with seasonal influenza, potential pandemic strains, and new severe influenza type A viruses affecting humans. Formulated by a diverse Guideline Development Group, including experts, clinicians, patients, ethicists, and methodologists, these recommendations are grounded in a comprehensive analysis of available data and adhere to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach to ensure credibility.
These updated guidelines are part of WHO's comprehensive influenza response, which includes the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS) and the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) framework. These initiatives target improving access to effective medical interventions and other resources to enhance readiness and response capabilities for potential influenza pandemics.
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