Antivirals for influenza like illness? Clinical and Cost-effectiveness
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Antivirals for influenza Like Illness? An rCt of Clinical and Cost effectiveness in primary CarE
IRAS ID
165209
Contact name
Chris Butler
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Oxford
Eudract number
2014-004471-23
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 5 months, 31 days
Research summary
This trial is looking at the most effective treatment for influenza-like illness (ILI). Infectious diseases like the flu are a high priority public health issue. Currently those considered to be in at risk categories are given a vaccination for the flu to help prevent infection and antiviral treatments, like oseltamivir, are promoted. Often people are given no treatment, but given advice to look after themselves and rest- best usual primary care. However, there are no large, non-industry studies to prove that this is the most effective treatment for the flu. This trial will look at best usual primary care versus best usual primary care with oseltamivir and with a new flu drug called nitazoxanide. We aim to see which of these treatments enables people to have less time away from their usual daily activities. All participants will be randomly assigned to receive one of these three treatments, in the standard dose for their age for five days. They will all know what treatment they are taking. In addition to this we currently have no way of testing quickly whether someone with influenza-like illness actually has real flu. Current treatment options work much more effectively where real flu is present. We are therefore also testing a point of care test to hopefully help us better target future flu treatment, through taking a swab sample from each patient. Participants will be aged 1 year old and over and will present to a recruiting site with ILI. They will be asked to complete a 2 week symptom diary and will receive follow up phone calls at days 2-4, 14-28 and after day 28. We will also conduct a qualitative review of barriers to recruitment in infectious diseases research through a consent process questionnaire to all participants and qualitative interview of 50 participants.
REC name
South Central - Oxford B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/SC/0138
Date of REC Opinion
31 Mar 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion