Blood transfusions can treat the flu?

People are afraid of blood transfusions that can spread diseases such as proteins that cause mad cow disease in Europe or the US Nil virus. However, according to a new US study, in the event of an influenza pandemic, blood transfusions may help victims.

Researcher Thomas Luke of the US Navy and colleagues examined eight studies published between 1918 and 1925 after the Spanish flu spread around the world, addressing the effects of Blood transfusions for people with influenza and lung complications.

These people received blood transfusions from flu survivors. These studies demonstrate that blood transfusions help reduce the risk of death.

Researchers claim that serum therapy may help fight the flu if the H5N1 virus causes a pandemic in humans.

The principle is simple: to use blood serum that contains anti-virus antibodies to treat people attacked by this virus. This method has now been used in some cases such as poison poisoning or poisoning.

The researchers say their analysis is based on a limited number of patients (1,700 people) and needs additional research on anti-flu serous therapy. They hope that blood transfusions will help patients in the event of a pandemic, because vaccine is usually not available and antiviral drugs are not 100% effective.

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