A New Japanese Drug Can Kill The Flu Virus Within 24 Hours

A New Japanese Drug Can Kill The Flu Virus Within 24 Hours
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Japan’s Ministry of Health authorized on Friday a new drug that can kill the flu virus in just 24 hours, according to the manufacturing company. This new Japanese drug could be a major breakthrough in the treatment of this disease.

According to the World Health Organization, seasonal influenza is an acute respiratory infection caused by influenza viruses circulating around the world. Influenza epidemics annually cause between three and five million severe illnesses and between 290,000 to 650,000 deaths worldwide.

The ongoing flu season has severely affected many countries, especially the USA, and caused hundreds of deaths, in both adults and children, and several tens of thousands of hospitalizations in January, globally.

The Japenese new drug against the flu virus is working much smarter

The drug, called Xofluza, may soon overcome its significant competitor, the well-known Tamiflu antiviral which is produced by Roche’s pharmaceutical giant and is one of the most commonly used drugs in influenza treatment.

According to the Japanese pharmaceutical company Shionogi, Xofluza requires fewer doses to be administered in comparison with Tamiflu. Patients should take only one Xofluza pill per day for five days, instead of two doses a day for five days as in the Tamiflu case.

Shionogi claims that Xofluza can destroy the flu virus within 24 hours, blocking the spread of the virus by inhibiting an enzyme that multiplies it.

China has also joined the global fight against the flu virus

China has announced last week that health researchers are now studying and, soon, will develop a vaccine that provides protection against four subtypes of seasonal influenza virus.

According to the Chinese health officials, the vaccine could be available on the Chinese market in the second half of 2018.

In conclusion, the new Japanese drug that kills the flu virus within the first 24 hours after administration could be a lifesaver if it will be as effective as its manufacturers stated. Unfortunately, it could take a year or even two for the drug to emerge in all markets.

 


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