Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is an infectious disease that spreads by coughs and sneezes.
A sore throat, congestion, and a runny nose can be very unpleasant. These symptoms can last for a few days, but people usually start getting better in a week.
Japanese drugmaker Shionogi claims it has an experimental drug that only requires a single dose to rid patients of the flu. This drug can kill the influenza virus in ONE day.
In contrast, most common flu medication takes 72 hours.
The new drug wipes out the flu virus in sick patients three times faster than oseltamivir, the most popular influenza drug — often known by the brand name Tamiflu.
Convenient and fast relief
Shionogi says its experimental drug, called baloxavir marboxil, provides instant relief, which might curb the virus’s contagiousness in people who take the treatment. Another benefit is the single dose compared to at least 10 doses of Tamiflu (twice a day for five days).
The World Health Organization (WHO) said the drug could change the way doctors and nurses treat people sick with the flu.
The drugmaker plans to apply for approval in the U.S. this summer, however, the drug won’t be available in the United States until next year.
