Pharmaceutical composition comprising serum amyloid P component for prophylactic or therapeutic treatment of virus infections and a kit for detecting binding of compositions to virus components

Pharmaceutical compositions comprising a protein serum amyloid P component (SAP) capable of binding viruses, especially myxovirus, e.g. influenza viruses and thereby preventing the transmission and infection with such viruses. Preferred is mucosal administration, e.g. SAP incorporated in a nose spray or nose drops. Also provided is a method for measuring the binding of SAP to the hemagglutinin of the prevailing influenza virus subtype and strain.