Methods of stimulating immune response in virally infected individuals

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a method of increasing the time period between outbreaks of genital herpes comprising providing an imidazoquinolinamine formulation, disposing an amount of the imidazoquinolinamine formulation into a first nare of an individual infected with Herpes Simplex Virus type 2, covering at least a portion of the internal surface of the individual's first nare with a portion of the amount of the imidazoquinolinamine in the nare, massaging the portion of the amount of the imidazoquinolinamine into the internal surface of the first nare, disposing the amount of the imidazoquinolinamine formulation into a second nare of the individual, covering at least a portion of the internal surface of the second nare with a portion of the amount of the imidazoquinolinamine in said nare and massaging the portion of the amount of the imidazoquinolinamine into the internal surface of said nare.

1 . A method of stimulating an immune response in an individual affected with influenza, the method comprising essentially of:
 providing an imidazoquinolinamine formulation;   disposing an amount of the imidazoquinolinamine formulation into a first naris of a virally infected individual; and   covering at least a portion of an internal surface of the individual's first naris with a portion of the amount of imidazoquinolinamine in said first naris;   wherein the imidazoquinolinamine formulation is applied within 12 hours after an appearance of first symptoms.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 disposing a second amount of the imidazoquinolinamine formulation into a second naris of the virally infected individual; and 
 covering at least a portion of an internal surface of the individual's second naris with a second portion of the second amount of imidazoquinolinamine in said second naris. 
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the imidazoquinolinamine formulation's active ingredient is selected from the group consisting of imiquimod and resiquimod. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the imidazoquinolinamine formulation is disposed using a device selected from the group consisting of a swab, syringe, spray nozzle, and a drip applicator. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the imidazoquinolinamine formulation comprises imiquimod as an active ingredient in the amount of about 3 mg. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the imidazoquinolinamine formulation comprises resiquimod as an active ingredient in the amount equivalent to about 3 mg of imiquimod 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the imidazoquinolinamine formulation is selected from a group consisting of a cream, gel, liquid, paste, aerosol, and an emulsion. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein about 15 minutes prior to disposing the imidazoquinolinamine formulation, the first nare is treated with a decongestant. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the decongestant is Neosynepherine. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising providing the imidazoquinolinamine formulation every twelve hours until relief from cold symptoms is obtained. 
     
     
         11 . A product for stimulating an immune response in an individual affected with the flu consisting essentially of:
 an imidazoquinolinamine formulation; and   an instruction set, wherein the instruction set directs the individual to dispose an amount of the imidazoquinolinamine formulation into a first naris of the individual and to cover at least a portion of the internal surface of the first naris with a portion of the imidazoquinolinamine in the naris.