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Treatment
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on SARS treatment |
Ribavirin is widely used for SARS because of its effectiveness against RNA and DNA viruses.
It is often administered with corticosteroids to increase its anti-viral activity. Despite of its
popularity, many doubt ribavirin because of undue side effects.
Oseltamivir phosphate, which is used to treat influenze, is seldom used to
treat SARS. Because its efficieny against SARS has not been proven, many researchers
recommend not to use the neuraminidase inhibitor.
Interferons are cytokines found in cellular immune response. Several experiments
were conducted in Germany to test interferon -2b and interferon -1b. Interferons
are tested to be effective in preventing SARS replication and in fighting
against viral infection. They are expected to be used for future treatment
trials.
