Emerging treatments
Intravenous immunoglobulin for viral encephalitis
One Cochrane review suggested a clinical benefit of adjunctive intravenous immunoglobulin treatment for children with viral encephalitis for some measures (i.e., mean length of hospital stay, time to stop spasms, time to regain consciousness, and time to resolution of neuropathic symptoms and fever). However, the quality of evidence in the included studies was very low.[121] Immunoglobulin with high titre to West Nile virus has been proposed as a potential treatment for severe West Nile virus infections but data have so far been inconclusive.[122][123]
Neuraminidase inhibitors
Neuraminidase inhibitors may be considered if the influenza virus is the suspected aetiological agent. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations, oral oseltamivir, inhaled zanamivir, and intravenous peramivir should be used for the treatment of acute uncomplicated influenza within 2 days of illness onset; oral oseltamivir and inhaled zanamivir can also be used for chemoprophylaxis.[124] CDC: Influenza (Flu) Opens in new window
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