Decentralization of oseltamivir phosphate as a way to prevent or aggravate cases of Flu Syndrome (FS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)

Abstract

Background: Influenza is an acute respiratory infection caused by viruses A, B, and C. Influenza surveillance in Brazil is sentinel surveillance of influenza syndrome (FS), sentinel surveillance of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in patients admitted to the unit of intensive care and surveillance of SARS in hospitalized patients. Oseltamivir phosphate is a specific antiviral for the treatment of influenza. Thus, its decentralization to health services is essential, since the patient can start treatment as soon as there is clinical suspicion.