Antiviral medications are an important adjunct to influenza vaccine in the control of influenza.The information on this page should be considered current for the 2020-2021 influenza season for clinical practice regarding the use of influenza antiviral medications.Each year, ACIP provides general information regarding the prevention and control of influenza with vaccines.Below additional guidance on antiviral treatment of influenza and other reports related to prevention and control of influenza among specific populations (e.g., immunocompromised persons, health care personnel, hospital patients, pregnant women, children, and travelers) are available:To receive weekly email updates about Seasonal Flu, enter your email address:Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) Clinical Practice Guidelines: 2018 UpdateCenters for Disease Control and Prevention. Morbidly obese individuals (BMI of ≥40) Antiviral medications are an important adjunct to influenza vaccine in the control of influenza. Oseltamivir is available in tablet and liquid forms, but zanamivir is only available in an aerosol formulation.Infection of the cell by influenza virus is initiated when viral hemagglutinin binds to sialic acid–containing glycoproteins on the cell surface. Testing of current H5N1 avian influenza virus isolates, the potential agents of pandemic influenza, suggests susceptibility to oseltamivir and zanamivir.
The recommendedtreatmentregimenisthesameasthatrecom- Antiviral drugs are a second line of defense that can be used to treat flu (including seasonal flu and variant flu viruses) if you get sick. Available at: World Health Organization.
The viral neuraminidase cleaves the virus from the host cell membrane attachment site, thus freeing the virus to infect other cells. Recommended Dosage and Duration of Influenza Antiviral Medications for Treatment or Chemoprophylaxis
During periods of community co-circulation of influenza viruses and SARS-CoV-2, empiric antiviral treatment of influenza is recommended as soon as possible for the following priority groups: a) hospitalized patients with respiratory illness; b) outpatients with severe, complicated, or progressive respiratory illness; and c) … Prophylaxis should be provided (1) to high-risk children who have not yet received immunization and during the 2 weeks after immunization, (2) to unimmunized family members and health care professionals with close contact with high-risk unimmunized children or infants who are younger than 6 months, and (3) for control of influenza outbreaks in unimmunized staff and children in an institutional setting. Zanamivir (Relenza Diskhaler) 10 mg (two 5-mg inhalations) inhaled once daily An impaired immune response could leave the host susceptible on reexposure to the virus, as has been reported in 2 children with influenza B virus infections.Oseltamivir is not approved for therapy in children younger than 12 months because of concerns of central nervous system (CNS) toxicity seen in infant rats.Oseltamivir may be taken with or without food and is eliminated entirely by glomerular filtration and tubular secretion. Appreciable differences in virulence or transmissibility between resistant and susceptible viruses have not been noted.In a recent study, nasal swabs, nasal aspirates, or throat cultures were obtained from hospitalized children before, during, and after a 3- to 5-day course of amantadine, and 80% of isolates from treated children demonstrated amantadine resistance.Close contacts of an amantadine- or rimantadine-treated child who subsequently develop influenza infection are at high risk of infection caused by an adamantane-resistant influenza virus.
Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Oseltamivir 75 mg PO once daily
Medical Intelligence from The New England Journal of Medicine — Prophylaxis and Treatment of Influenza. Multiple novel therapies are currently in development. 2010 In recent past seasons, there has been a high prevalence (>99%) of influenza A(H3N2) and influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 (2009 H1N1) viruses resistant to adamantanes. Women who are pregnant or within 2 weeks postpartum The duration of influenza season in adults and children aged 3 months or older who have the highest risk of influenza-associated complications (eg, HSCT recipients) ANTIVIRAL PROPHYLAXIS Influenza immunization is the best way to prevent influenza infections [ 1 ]. Neuraminidase inhibitors . What are the benefits of antiviral drugs? Potential risks and benefits should be carefully weighed before treatment of these children. Available at: Department of Health and Human Services.
The effects of severe renal impairment on the pharmacokinetics of baloxavir marboxil or its active metabolite, baloxavir, have not been evaluated.More information for clinicians on influenza diagnostic testing is available.Clinicians should contact their local or state health department for information about current local influenza activity.