Emerging treatments
Convalescent plasma
A 31-year-old male patient with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) virus infection was treated in 2006 with convalescent plasma that was obtained from a patient who had recovered from HPAI A(H5N1) illness earlier that year. HPAI A(H5N1) viral load from respiratory specimens decreased after 3 doses of convalescent plasma, with undetectable levels within 32 hours.[145] Two other HPAI A(H5N1) patients who received convalescent plasma from an HPAI A(H5N1) case or an H5N1 vaccine recipient have been reported.[146] Convalescent plasma therapy for patients with seasonal influenza or HPAI A(H5N1) virus infection is experimental and not approved for clinical use. The World Health Organization suggests not administering passive immune therapy to patients with suspected or confirmed influenza virus infection (including zoonotic influenza) with or at risk of severe illness, based on very low-quality evidence.[123]
Use of this content is subject to our disclaimer