WHO updates influenza care guidelines, includes recommendations for viruses with pandemic potential
The guidelines are designed primarily for healthcare providers who manage patients with influenza virus infection and will also serve as a reference source for policymakers and others in efforts towards epidemic and pandemic preparedness.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has updated its guidelines for the care of patients with influenza.
These guidelines provide recommendations on the use of antiviral medications, and other treatments such as steroids for immune system regulation. This update applies to patients with seasonal influenza viruses, potential pandemic influenza viruses, and new influenza type A viruses that are known to cause severe illness in infected humans.
A Guideline Development Group of content experts, clinicians, patients, ethicists and methodologists analyzed available data and produced these recommendations following standards for trustworthy guideline development using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach.
The recommendations form part of WHO’s response to influenza, which includes the work of the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS), and the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) framework which addresses gaps in access to effective medical therapies and other tools.
