Influenza (the 'flu') is a common virus infecting approximately 5-20% of the population in
the United States and causing as many as 500,000 deaths worldwide each year. Currently, there
are only a few treatments for influenza infection and none of these target inflammation that
can be caused by the virus. This study will test whether the anti-inflammatory effects of
statins, a class of drugs most often used to treat high cholesterol, will decrease the
severity of illness in patients who are infected with influenza by testing markers of
inflammation in the blood and recording resolution of influenza illness.
Phase:
Phase 2
Details
Lead Sponsor:
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Collaborator:
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)