Many people believe there is no treatment for a virus -- that you have to let it run its course. But when it comes to influenza (often called “the flu”), antiviral drugs can be used for prevention and treatment.
While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends flu vaccination as the first and most important step in preventing flu, antiviral drugs are a second line of defense against the flu.
Flu antiviral drugs
Flu antiviral drugs are prescription medications (pills, liquid, or an inhaled powder) that can be used to treat flu infection. CDC recommends two flu antiviral drugs this flu season -- oseltamivir (Tamiflu®) and zanamivir (Relenza®).
These drugs are different from antibiotics and are not sold over-the-counter. You can get them only if you have a prescription from a doctor. While most people with the flu have mild illness and don’t need medical care or antiviral drugs, others will benefit greatly from the use of antiviral drugs. Clinical judgment is the most important part of deciding if antiviral drugs are needed to treat flu infection.
The treatment
Antiviral treatment is most effective when started as soon as possible -- ideally within the first two days of flu symptoms. Antivirals can make you feel better and shorten the time you are sick by a day or two. They can also prevent serious complications caused by flu infection, such as pneumonia. Tamiflu® and Relenza® are usually taken for five days, although hospitalized flu patients may need the medicine for longer than five days.
Antiviral drugs are especially beneficial for people who are very sick with flu, such as people who are in the hospital, and people with flu who have a greater chance of serious complications. Those who may have a greater chance of serious flu complications include:
- children younger than two years old;
- adults 65 years and older;
- pregnant women and women up to two weeks after giving birth;
- people with chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, heart failure, chronic lung disease, and diabetes) and people with a weak immune system (due to illnesses such as HIV); and
- people younger than 19 years of age who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy.
