Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Cells, Microbes & Viruses => Topic started by: thedoc on 08/05/2013 11:15:29

Title: Can eritoran reverse fatal flu infection?
Post by: thedoc on 08/05/2013 11:15:29

Mice - and humans - infected with a lethal dose of 'flu could be saved by dosing them with a new drug, scientists have discovered.

Read the whole story on our  website by clicking here (http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/news/news/1000166/)

  

Title: Re: Can eritoran reverse fatal flu infection?
Post by: evan_au on 08/05/2013 12:25:34

I can see that it is important to damp down an overactive immune system, so your immune system doesn't kill you.
But if you take it too far, the virus will take over and kill you.
Like all medications, I guess it's a cost/benefit tradeoff to find the optimum dose for each patient...

Title: Re: Can eritoran reverse fatal flu infection?
Post by: CliffordK on 08/05/2013 12:27:52

It  sounds like it could be a very useful addition to existing flu treatment.  However, further research would be necessary to determine the efficacy in mild flu cases vs severe flu cases.

While flu mortality is generally low, there is always the risk of the next great flu pandemic.