AACE Advancing Immunization Quality Improvement Communication Platform-Brown Lifespan antiviral-factsheet-updated

Brown Lifespan antiviral-factsheet-updated

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Influenza antiviral drugs are prescription medications that can be used to treat flu illness. They are different from antibiotics, which are used to treat bacterial infections. Antiviral drugs are not sold over-the-counter and can only be obtained with a prescription from a healthcare provider. <br /><br />If you think you have the flu, it is important to check with your healthcare provider, especially if you are at high risk of serious flu complications. Symptoms of the flu include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. Antiviral drugs can help treat the flu and lessen the severity of symptoms. <br /><br />However, it is still recommended to get a flu vaccine even if you take antiviral drugs. The flu vaccine is the first and best way to prevent influenza. Antiviral drugs are considered a second line of defense and are used to treat the flu if you get sick. <br /><br />Antiviral treatment works best when started within two days of getting symptoms. It can help reduce fever, other symptoms, and shorten the time you are sick by about one day. Antiviral drugs can also prevent serious flu complications such as pneumonia. For adults hospitalized with the flu, early antiviral treatment can reduce the risk of death. <br /><br />There are four FDA-approved antiviral drugs recommended by the CDC for this flu season: oseltamivir phosphate (Tamiflu), zanamivir (Relenza), peramivir (Rapivab), and baloxavir marboxil (Xofluza). The duration of treatment varies for each drug.<br /><br />Antiviral drugs can be taken by children, pregnant women, and breastfeeding women, depending on the medication. It is important to follow the instructions for taking these drugs and consult with a healthcare provider for specific information. <br /><br />Antiviral drugs should be used early for people who are very sick with flu or at high risk of serious flu complications. Most healthy people who get the flu do not need to be treated with antiviral drugs. However, people with certain health conditions or who are at higher risk from the flu should consider getting a flu vaccine and seeking medical treatment quickly if they experience flu symptoms.<br /><br />For more information, visit www.cdc.gov/flu or call 1-800-CDC-INFO.

Keywords

influenza antiviral drugs

prescription medications

flu illness

antibiotics

over-the-counter

healthcare provider

flu complications

symptoms of the flu

flu vaccine

FDA-approved antiviral drugs