Antiviral drugs in the immunocompetent host: part II. Treatment of influenza and respiratory syncytial virus infections.

Family physicians should be familiar with the various drugs available for treating and preventing viral infections. Part II of this two-part article focuses on agents used to manage influenza and respiratory syncytial virus. Rimantadine and amantadine traditionally have been used to prevent and treat influenza type A infections.

Antiviral drugs in the immunocompetent host: part I. Treatment of hepatitis, cytomegalovirus, and herpes infections.

Since the release of amantadine in 1966, other agents designed to fight a diverse range of viral infections have been released. Part I of this two-part article focuses on agents used to manage hepatitis, cytomegalovirus, and herpes infections. In patients with chronic hepatitis B, interferon alfa-2b or lamivudine is the treatment of choice.