Antivirals for High-Risk Flu Patients

High risk flu patients should be treated take antivirals.

High risk flu patients are people with age or health factors that are known to increase the patient’s risk for serious complications from the flu. Such patients include people with respiratory diseases, including Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Patients with Neurological and Neurodevelopment disorders are considered high risk, as are patients with blood disorders such as Sickle Cell disease, and endocrine disorders like Diabetes Mellitus. Patients with heart, kidney, or liver disorders are considered high risk. Patients who have metabolic disorders, may be obese, or who have a weakened immune system are also considered high risk. Adults 65 and older, as well as infants under 2 years old should also take antivirals.

Antivirals should be taken within 2 days of getting sick and should continue for 5 days. The CDC recommends 4 prescription antivirals for the treatment of flu:

• oseltamivir phosphate (available as a generic version or under the trade name Tamiflu®),
• zanamivir (trade name Relenza®)
• peramivir (trade name Rapivab®), and
• baloxavir marboxil (trade name Xofluza®).

Antivirals are most effective when taken soon after the onset of the flu. Taken soon enough, antivirals can reduce fever and flu symptoms, and shorten the course of the sickness by about a day or so. Antivirals lower the chances for complications like ear infections, respiratory infections, and hospitalization.  Studies have shown that early antiviral treatment can reduce the risk of death in adults hospitalized for flu complications.

~~ Pete Dailey