Flu Cases Now On Rise After Slow Start To Winter Season

While vaccination remains the first and most important step to preventing the flu, federal health officials are recommending that doctors give antiviral meds to the elderly, and other high-risk people, who are showing symptoms.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending that doctors give antiviral meds to high-risk patients who present with flu symptoms, even before test results confirm the disease, in order to head off complications such as pneumonia.
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Carol Reif

02/19/2016 1:02 p.m.

According to the most recent “Fluview” report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, February is the month that influenza cases peak.

Cases are now on the rise after a slow start this year, the CDC said.

The flu season has been known to linger until May, the CDC said, so it is not too late to be vaccinated.

However, patients who present with flu symptoms and are at risk for complications should be given antivirals even before their test results come back, the CDC said.

Antivirals such as Tamiflu® (oral oseltamivir), Relenza® (inhaled zanamivir), and Rapivab® (intravenous peramivir) are neuraminidase inhibitors that fight flu viruses.

According to the CDC, early antiviral treatment works the best, but antiviral meds may also help when started up to four to five days after flu symptoms appear.

Antivirals, in clinical trials, have shortened the duration of fever and other flu symptoms; reduced the risk of complications, such as pneumonia, and cut the risks of dying from the flu, the CDC said.

To read the CDC complete health advisory, click here.

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