Prophylactic oseltamivir for prevention of nosocomial influenza A virus infection

The effectiveness of oseltamivir in preventing nosocomial influenza (influenza A virus infection) during an influenza epidemic was carried out in several wards of a university hospital. A survey conducted during the 2005 influenza season identified 30 staff members (nurses and doctors) and 3 hospitalized patients who met the case definition for influenza. A definitive influenza diagnosis was made in 17 staff members (57%) and in 2 inpatients (66%) based on the results of a rapid diagnostic test. Most of the 30 symptomatic staff members had been vaccinated for influenza. Symptomatic staff members were sent home for 1 week, and the infected inpatients were isolated. Oseltamivir (75 mg/d for 5 days) was administered to 99 staff members and 2 inpatients who had close contact with the infected patients. Although a relatively large number of the staff had an influenza virus infection, the use of oseltamivir may have effectively prevented a nosocomial outbreak.