Randomized controlled trial of the effect of regular paracetamol on influenza infection.

Sarah Jefferies, Irene Braithwaite, Steven Walker, Mark Weatherall, Lance Jennings, Michelle Luck, Kevin Barrett, Robert Siebers, Timothy Blackmore, Richard Beasley, Kyle Perrin,

February 2016 Respirology

Synopsis of Social media discussions

Discussions frequently mention that the study found no effect of paracetamol on viral load or symptoms, with words like 'no effect' and 'no benefit' emphasizing skepticism. Some examples, such as posts questioning its clinical value or mentioning the lack of evidence, reflect a cautious tone, while a few posts express concern about potential effects like immune suppression, showing a varied but predominantly moderate impact of the publication.

A
Agreement
 Low agreement

Most discussions highlight that the study found no significant benefit of paracetamol on influenza outcomes, indicating some disagreement with positive view of the drug's efficacy.

I
Interest
 Moderate level of interest

Participants show mild interest, as some posts express curiosity or skepticism, but overall there is limited enthusiasm or detailed analysis.

E
Engagement
 Neutral engagement

The engagement level appears neutral; some users share observations or ask questions, but few delve deeply into methodology or broader implications.

I
Impact
 Neutral impact

The overall impact is moderate or negligible since the discussions do not suggest a major shift in practice or widespread influence, mostly confirming existing skepticism or raising awareness.

Social Mentions

YouTube

2 Videos

Bluesky

1 Posts

Facebook

12 Posts

Twitter

23 Posts

Blogs

4 Articles

News

34 Articles

Metrics

Video Views

468

Total Likes

56

Extended Reach

49,966

Social Features

76

Timeline: Posts about article

Top Social Media Posts

Posts referencing the article

Effect of Paracetamol on Influenza Outcomes: A Randomized Trial

Effect of Paracetamol on Influenza Outcomes: A Randomized Trial

This study investigated whether regular paracetamol affects viral load and symptoms in adults with influenza. The trial found no significant differences in viral shedding, symptom relief, or illness duration between those taking paracetamol and a placebo.

Respirology Video

December 7, 2017

387 views

Impact of Ibuprofen and Paracetamol on Influenza Complications and Recovery

Impact of Ibuprofen and Paracetamol on Influenza Complications and Recovery

Fever reducers like Ibuprofen and Paracetamol are commonly used in children with infections, including influenza. However, studies show that suppressing fever may prolong illness and virus transmission, emphasizing caution in their use during influenza.

DR.MED.CELINE

February 13, 2025

81 views

  • Éric Maeker
    @dr.maeker.fr (Bluesky)

    A randomized controlled trial of the effect of supervised exercise on functional outcomes in older African American and non-Hispanic White breast cancer survivors: Are there racial differences in the effects of exercise on functional outcomes? Cancer 2022 2/5
    view full post

    April 9, 2025

    1

  • bob
    @bob6429 (Twitter)

    RT @sudokuvariante: https://t.co/KPMblPDU7N https://t.co/wkcNEoL5zy https://t.co/C2nsbi1JFG Aucun effet clinique positif, tendance à augme…
    view full post

    September 17, 2024

    5

  • Labeyrie Hélène
    @Conneriephobe56 (Twitter)

    RT @sudokuvariante: https://t.co/KPMblPDU7N https://t.co/wkcNEoL5zy https://t.co/C2nsbi1JFG Aucun effet clinique positif, tendance à augme…
    view full post

    September 17, 2024

    5

  • Floribus
    @Floribus52 (Twitter)

    RT @sudokuvariante: https://t.co/KPMblPDU7N https://t.co/wkcNEoL5zy https://t.co/C2nsbi1JFG Aucun effet clinique positif, tendance à augme…
    view full post

    September 16, 2024

    5

  • BotAntiPass
    @BotAntiPass (Twitter)

    RT @sudokuvariante: https://t.co/KPMblPDU7N https://t.co/wkcNEoL5zy https://t.co/C2nsbi1JFG Aucun effet clinique positif, tendance à augme…
    view full post

    September 16, 2024

    5

  • Frédéric Poncet
    @fredericponcet (Twitter)

    RT @sudokuvariante: https://t.co/KPMblPDU7N https://t.co/wkcNEoL5zy https://t.co/C2nsbi1JFG Aucun effet clinique positif, tendance à augme…
    view full post

    September 16, 2024

    5

  • Fred Stalder
    @sudokuvariante (Twitter)

    https://t.co/KPMblPDU7N https://t.co/wkcNEoL5zy https://t.co/C2nsbi1JFG Aucun effet clinique positif, tendance à augmenter la durée de portage viral, diminution de la réponse immunitaire
    view full post

    September 16, 2024

    41

    5

  • Fred Stalder
    @sudokuvariante (Twitter)

    @fluidloading @LoLoWarn @WhiteL_o_t_u_s Là, je pars préparer le repas, mais en attendant mon thread, je vous laisse lire ça: https://t.co/wkcNEoL5zy https://t.co/KPMblPDU7N https://t.co/C2nsbi1JFG https://t.co/oc48Qm780Y https://t.co/UCpqxSkgrX https://t.co/fKO2aNavuC 1/2
    view full post

    September 16, 2024

    5

  • Suphil Philipose
    @Suphee33 (Twitter)

    @drkohilathas And it's not an accident that not a single randomized placebo controlled study was done on paracetamol for COVID. https://t.co/na76VC1GGB
    view full post

    June 13, 2023

  • Alzheimer's Prevention
    @AlzheimersPrev2 (Twitter)

    Despite recommendations to administer paracetamol for symptom relief in influenza and influenza-like illnesses, this study has found that regular administration of paracetamol has no effect on viral or clinical outcomes in this setting. https://t.co/S7z9OPwMhx
    view full post

    June 10, 2023

  • Mats Jacob H:son Lin
    @Medicinmanden (Twitter)

    Jeg ligger hjemme med influenza-symptomer. Vil paracetamol hjælpe, eller måske, forlænge sygdommen? Der findes, utrolig nok, kun 1 klinisk forsøg. Jeg fortæller om det i tråden nedenfor. #dksund #dklæger https://t.co/D0NmprGAh1
    view full post

    February 14, 2023

    6

  • Il Duca
    @DOCTORWHO71 (Twitter)

    @GuidoMattioni partiamo dalle evidenze, studio sull'influenza dove il paracetamolo non ha assolutamente peggiorato la situazione. https://t.co/IfWh3dSSCm
    view full post

    August 25, 2021

  • Roshan
    @Roshan_Karia (Twitter)

    @doc_santanu @mkarthik3090 @Neurophysik @drabbyphilips Well crocin doesn't work in influenza... https://t.co/yaI5VpIcKr And maybe doctors with their practice assume that Glutathione depletion that happens with crocin won't affect the inflammation in lungs in later stages of covid..
    view full post

    March 22, 2021

  • S P
    @toutvaencore (Twitter)

    @moreau1_quentin @OSS117_IHU @FabienneCASSAGN Deja fait mais j'ai trouve que ca.. https://t.co/wKDKMw8M6O
    view full post

    March 17, 2021

  • Michel de Toeuf
    @ToeufDe (Twitter)

    @silvano_trotta https://t.co/nx16obvY8Q
    view full post

    February 10, 2021

    1

  • EkiVox
    @JeanT_Angry (Twitter)

    @JolieEmile @LuquetSabine @DIVIZIO1 Une étude pour confirmer l'efficacité du Doliprane sur les symptômes du C19 ? Parce que sur la grippe cela n'a aucun effet ! ⬇️ https://t.co/QRNCK2wpA1
    view full post

    November 21, 2020

  • Remedios infantiles
    @sergioverd (Twitter)

    In animal infection, antipyretic drugs increase mortality. In humans paracetamol prolongs infection in varicella zoster, malaria and rhinovirus, and impairs immune responses doi: 10.1111/resp.12685. Agrava el paracetamol la inflamación por el coronavirus?https://t.co/cK3zCo1z7E
    view full post

    October 28, 2020

    1

  • Jack Atall
    @Jacobin_11 (Twitter)

    https://t.co/MWbjuVr9Xk Le #paracetamol (utilisé massivement dans les hopitaux pour traiter le #COVID19 ) n'a aucun effet sur la charge virale grippale d'après une étude faite en 2003 https://t.co/8THH2BbQ13 https://t.co/v2yhHxgZLh
    view full post

    May 30, 2020

  • Dick
    @concierge24_24 (Twitter)

    @Tsarorius @Amellal1490 Par exemple pour influenza https://t.co/m9x1DWhoib
    view full post

    April 6, 2020

  • Samantha Owen
    @samanthaowen008 (Twitter)

    RT @MaryamHenein: Read: A randomized controlled trial of the effect of regular paracetamol on influenza infection https://t.co/jfuzd4wNdV
    view full post

    March 18, 2020

    1

  • Maryam Henein/ (aka BeeLady) / Non Psyop
    @MaryamHenein (Twitter)

    Read: A randomized controlled trial of the effect of regular paracetamol on influenza infection https://t.co/jfuzd4wNdV
    view full post

    March 18, 2020

    1

    1

  • Remedios infantiles
    @sergioverd (Twitter)

    Good time to avoid antipyretics. In animal models, treatment with antipyretics for influenza infection increases the risk of mortality.https://t.co/FI9XhcRrIg In humans, there remains insufficient evidence for #paracetamol use in influenza infection 10.1111/resp.12685
    view full post

    March 15, 2020

  • Sparrow Science
    @sparrow_science (Twitter)

    @StartupMinistry At this stage, we believe that a hint of an answer may lie within the press releases of or announcements by @WHO or any of the regional bodies like @NHSuk & @CDCgov. But here are two early stage research papers about viruses https://t.co/nK4vDjQfEP & https://t.co/yJm57AbM8y
    view full post

    March 5, 2020

  • MDSENT
    @Badbloodfounder (Twitter)

    Recently researchers published a study in the journal Respirology that examined the same drug: The study, “Randomized controlled trial of the effect of regular paracetamol on influenza infection,” was a... https://t.co/XHhlXlO9rE
    view full post

    April 18, 2019

Abstract Synopsis

  • This study was a randomized controlled trial testing whether regular paracetamol affects viral load and symptoms in adults with influenza; it found no significant differences in viral shedding, symptom relief, or illness duration between those taking paracetamol and those taking a placebo.
  • The trial involved adults aged 18-65 with confirmed influenza, comparing 1 gram of paracetamol four times daily to a placebo over 5 days, with measurements of viral load, temperature, and symptom scores taken throughout the illness.
  • The results suggest that regular paracetamol does not influence the course of influenza infection, indicating that current use for symptom relief may not impact viral shedding or illness resolution, and highlighting a need for more research on its role in influenza treatment.