Sir, the emergence of H7N9 bird flu in China presents an interesting situation 11 . Wiwanitkit V. H7N9 influenza: the emerging infectious disease. N Am J Med Sci 2013;5:395-398. . The World Health Organization notes the importance of monitoring this situation for a potential worldwide pandemic 22 . Casscells SW, Granger E, Kress AM, Linton A. The association between oseltamivir use and adverse neuropsychiatric outcomes among TRICARE beneficiaries, ages 1 through 21 years diagnosed with influenza. Int J Adolesc Med Health 2009;21:79-89. . In terms of the disease, H7N9 bird flu is an atypical influenza virus infection and the drug treatment is oseltamivir. There is great concern surrounding the adverse effects of oseltamivir. “Delirium or delirium-like events” is reported as the most common neuropsychiatric adverse effect 33 . Toovey S, Rayner C, Prinssen E, et al. Assessment of neuropsychiatric adverse events in influenza patients treated with oseltamivir: a comprehensive review. Drug Saf 2008;31:1097-1114. . However, based on the available data in all 136 cases, no neuropsychiatric effects of oseltamivir treatment have been reported. This might confirm the safety of the standard oseltamivir treatment. In fact, in earlier research, Smith and Sacks concluded that there was no increased risk of neuropsychiatric disorder from the use of oseltamivir 44 . Smith JR, Sacks S. Incidence of neuropsychiatric adverse events in influenza patients treated with oseltamivir or no antiviral treatment. Int J Clin Pract 2009;63:596-605. .
References
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1Wiwanitkit V. H7N9 influenza: the emerging infectious disease. N Am J Med Sci 2013;5:395-398.
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2Casscells SW, Granger E, Kress AM, Linton A. The association between oseltamivir use and adverse neuropsychiatric outcomes among TRICARE beneficiaries, ages 1 through 21 years diagnosed with influenza. Int J Adolesc Med Health 2009;21:79-89.
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3Toovey S, Rayner C, Prinssen E, et al. Assessment of neuropsychiatric adverse events in influenza patients treated with oseltamivir: a comprehensive review. Drug Saf 2008;31:1097-1114.
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4Smith JR, Sacks S. Incidence of neuropsychiatric adverse events in influenza patients treated with oseltamivir or no antiviral treatment. Int J Clin Pract 2009;63:596-605.
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Publication in this collection
Feb 2014