Severe viral infections involving the respiratory or the central nervous system can lead to considerable morbidity and mortality in patients hospitalized in intensive care units, particularly in immunocompromised patients, according to a recent study published in BMC Infectious Diseases.
The cornerstone of treating such infections is supportive care and antiviral therapy, according to the study. Research has unveiled numerous discoveries regarding viral infections as well as some novel treatment ideas, many of which still need to be further validated in randomized controlled studies with animals and humans.
Ten findings from the study are highlighted below.
- Viruses account for approximately 3 percent to 10 percent of community-acquired pneumonia cases. Additionally, respiratory viruses can cause severe pneumonia with acute respiratory distress syndrome.
- Latent viruses, such as Herpesviridae, are known to cause pneumonia or systemic disease in immunocompromised patients. However, the latent viruses are sometimes reactivated in non-immunocompromised patients in the ICU.
- Vaccination is still the most effective measure against influenza as supportive evidence for treatment with antivirals is still largely lacking.
- Two novel antivirals — peramivir and laninamivir octanoate — may be considered for treatment of respiratory viral infections. New therapeutics for the treatment of influenza A virus infections are also under development.
- Triple and dual drug combination therapies may be able to treat resistant influenza.
- Low-dose systemic corticosteroids may be used for severe influenza-related septic shock.
- Despite advances in molecular techniques, the specific cause of the meningoencephalitis condition has not been identified and is found in less than half of the cases of the condition.
- Early administration of antivirals is crucial for treating herpetic viral infections of the nervous system.
- Ribonucleic acid viruses cause viral hemorrhagic fevers, so immediate isolation is necessary for effective infection control and to prevent transmission in suspect cases.
- Inadequate training in or compliance with infection control procedures is a major factor contributing to the transmission of viral infections in the ICU.