If Antivirals Are So Good Why Dont Doctors Give Them Out More Often
There are good reasons for this. If doctors use antivirals a lot then the influenza that is circulating may develop resistance to them. Also, like all medicines they have side effects and so should not be given without serious thought as to whether persons actually need them. Then not only are antivirals expensive some are in short supply. If we use them now they may not be available when we really need them e.g. during a pandemic. Some European countries have scientific policies that they only allow or recommend doctors to use antivirals for flu when it has been shown that influenza is circulating in the population at a certain level.
Replace Lost Fluids And Electrolytes
When you have viral gastroenteritis, you need to replace lost fluids and electrolytes to prevent dehydration or treat mild dehydration. You should drink plenty of liquids. If vomiting is a problem, try sipping small amounts of clear liquids.
Most adults with viral gastroenteritis can replace fluids and electrolytes with liquids such as
- water
- broths
Eating saltine crackers can also help replace electrolytes.
If your child has viral gastroenteritis, you should give your child an oral rehydration solutionsuch as Pedialyte, Naturalyte, Infalyte, and CeraLyteas directed to replace lost fluids and electrolytes. Oral rehydration solutions are liquids that contain glucose and electrolytes. Talk with a doctor about giving these solutions to your infant. Infants should drink breast milk or formula as usual.
Older adults, adults with a weakened immune system, and adults with severe diarrhea or symptoms of dehydration should also drink oral rehydration solutions.
Whats In Our Stomach Flu Iv Treatment
If youve never gotten an IV treatment or youre nervous about whats in the treatment, youll be happy to know that our treatments are made specifically for the purpose of helping with the stomach flu by providing key things your body needs to recover.
The IV components include a blend of IV fluids and electrolytes to rehydrate your body and a blend of complex B vitamins, vitamin B12, vitamin C, Pepcid, and Zofran for a health boost symptom relief.
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Outpatient Respiratory Illness Visits
Nationwide during week 20, 2.4% of patient visits reported through ILINet were due to respiratory illness that included fever plus a cough or sore throat, also referred to as ILI. This remained stable compared to week 19. Six of the 10 HHS Regions are below their region-specific baselines regions 1, 2, and 10 are above their respective baselines, while Region 4 is at its baseline. Multiple respiratory viruses are co-circulating, and the relative contribution of influenza virus infection to ILI varies by location.
* Effective October 3, 2021 , the ILI definition no longer includes without a known cause other than influenza.
Which Flu Treatment Works Best For My Cough
An occasional cough may clear the lung of pollutants and excess phlegm. A persistent cough should be diagnosed and treated specifically. On the pharmacy shelf, you’ll find numerous cough medicines with various combinations of decongestants, antihistamines, analgesics/antipyretics, cough suppressants, and expectorants. Ask your pharmacist which combination, if any, would be appropriate for your cough.Ã Some research suggests that honey may help suppress a cough- but do not use in anyone under the age of one as it may cause a type of food poisoning called botulism in younger children.
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Priority Groups For Antiviral Treatment Of Influenza
Antiviral treatment is recommended as soon as possible for any patient with suspected or confirmed influenza who:
- has severe, complicated, or progressive illness or
- is at higher risk for influenza complications.
Clinicians can consider early empiric antiviral treatment of non-high-risk outpatients with suspected influenza based upon clinical judgement, if treatment can be initiated within 48 hours of illness onset.
Which Are The Antivirals We Use In Europe Against Seasonal Influenza And Who Should Get Them
Currently two drugs are mostly recommended for the treatment of influenza, in Europe these are Oseltamivir and Zanamivir . Adamantane class of antivirals against influenza should not be used any more as all circulating influenza viruses are resistant to this class of drugs. None of these can be obtained except through a doctor or sometimes a nurse working under the supervision of a doctor. They are often only recommended as treatment for influenza in those considered to be at risk of developing more serious complications from flu infection, such as the elderly or those with underlying conditions like asthma or heart disease. It is recommended for at risk patients who present and who can start treatment within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms of influenza-like illness .These drugs are usually only recommended for use in this way during the period when flu is known to be circulating. Zanamivir and oseltamivir belong to neuraminidase inhibitor family of drugs that attack the flu virus replication cycle and prevent its spreading within the body. Their introduction is therefore an important addition to the tools we have to manage flu infection.
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How Long Is It Contagious
If you have the flu, youre contagious from at least a day before you begin to experience symptoms up through five days after your symptoms begin.
In more severe cases, you could be contagious for even longer after you begin experiencing symptoms. This number can fluctuate if your immune system is weak or undeveloped, specifically in cases of children or older adults.
Monkeypox Outbreaks In The Us
Historically, there have not been many outbreaks of monkeypox in the U.S, according to the . The first happened in 2003 when rats from Ghana infected prairie dogs that people bought as pets in the Midwest. This resulted in 47 human cases.
In 2021, two cases of monkeypox infection involved individuals who had traveled from Nigeria to the U.S.
In May 2022, an American resident returning from Canada tested positive for monkeypox, resulting in transmission of the virus to others. Unlike other outbreaks, the 2022 cases do not have links to direct travel in West or Central Africa or to the pet trade. At the time of writing, it is unclear how people became exposed to the virus.
CDC also reports that scientists first discovered the monkeypox infection in 1958, when two outbreaks occurred in monkey colonies that they kept for research. Initially, the virus only affected animals.
The first known case of monkeypox in humans occurred in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1970. Since then, the monkeypox virus has become endemic to certain countries in West and Central Africa. Endemic means that the virus is common in the population but within a specific location.
The virus is most prevalent in areas near tropical rainforests. The DRC has the most cases, reporting more than cases per year since 2016. The virus is less prevalent in Nigeria, but it was the location of an outbreak between 20172019, which affected 300 people.
- United Kingdom
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I Heard That Sometimes Everyone Exposed To Influenza Has Been Given Antivirals Why Is That
This is in special circumstances where people in a risk group have been exposed to influenza. The most common time this happens is when there is a proven influenza outbreak in an old peoples home, a nursing home or a hospital ward. Then antivirals may be given to all the people at risk as early treatment or prophylaxis.
How Can I Treat Flu Symptoms
There are several things you can do to ease the pain and discomfort. Always consult your pharmacist or GP if you are unsure whether you are safe to take certain over-the-counter medicines. You can take:
- paracetamol or ibuprofen to lower your fever or for muscle aches
- a cough syrup if you have a cough
- a decongestant if you have a blocked nose. Limit the use to a week at a time because prolonged use can worsen the stuffiness
- get lots of rest
- drink plenty of fluids
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What Should I Do If I Think I Am Sick With Flu
If you get sick with flu, antiviral drugs are a treatment option. Check with your doctor promptly if you are at higher risk of serious flu complications and you develop flu symptoms. Flu signs and symptoms can include feeling feverish or having a fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. Your doctor may prescribe antiviral drugs to treat your flu illness.
How You Can Help Fight Superbugs
The good news is that were making progress in the battle against superbugs. Aetna is working to educate doctors about the dangers of overprescribing antibiotics for common complaints like acute bronchitis, in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state Departments of Health. In 2018, the program reduced unnecessary prescriptions by 16%. In 2019, the initiative will be expanding to additional states.
But we need your help. You can fight the rise of antibiotic-resistant superbugs by asking the right questions and taking your medication as directed. If your doctor offers to prescribe you antibiotics, ask if theyre really necessary. Doctors may think people are coming to them for antibiotics, Dr. Knecht says. Asking doctors if antibiotics are needed lets them know that youre there for the right treatment, whatever that is. And if you do need antibiotics for a bacterial illness, dont skip doses and do take all the pills prescribed to you, even after you feel better. And dont share antibiotics with others.
Imagine a world where you dont know if antibiotics will work, Dr. Knecht urges. Many people dont recognize how important they are. We need to elevate their status and preserve this precious resource.
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How Can You Prevent Cat Flu
The best way to protect your cat from cat flu is by getting them vaccinated against the viruses that cause cat flu. Your cat will need two flu vaccines followed by booster shots throughout their life. While vaccination may not be able to stop your cat from ever getting the flu, it can help them from developing serious symptoms.
If you have multiple cats and one of them is ill, keep the infected one isolated as much as possible to help stop the spread of the virus. Make sure that shared items, like bowls and litter boxes, are disinfected after use to kill off any remaining bacteria.
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Which Antiviral Drugs Are Recommended For Both Treatment And Prevention Of The Flu
The CDC recommends the antiviral drugs baloxavir marboxil , oseltamivir , and zanamivir for both flu prevention and treatment..
Baloxavir marboxil is taken orally and is approved for use in treatment of children 12 years of age and older.
Oseltamivir, which is taken by mouth, is approved for treating flu in those over 2 weeks of age and preventing flu in people one year of age and older.
Peramivir, given in one intravenous dose, is approved for people over the age of 2 for treatment only.
Zanamivir is approved for treating flu in people 7 years and older and for preventing flu in people 5 years and older. Relenza is inhaled through the mouth.
All four antivirals are most effective when given within 48 hours of the onset of flu symptoms, although they may still prevent severe flu complications when given more than 48 hours after symptoms appear.
For in-depth information, see WebMD’s Flu Prevention Strategies.
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Use Of Antiviral Medications To Treat Influenza
Outbreaks of influenza occur every year and typically reach epidemic levels at some part of the season. Usually, uncomplicated influenza gets better with or without antiviral treatment but may cause substantial discomfort and limit activities while it lasts.
Many people with uncomplicated influenza use over-the-counter medicines, get rest, and take plenty of fluids to lessen their symptoms. Antiviral drugs available by prescription can reduce the time it takes for symptoms to improve, and some are also used in selected situations to reduce the chance of illness in people exposed to influenza virus. Prompt medical evaluation is important for early treatment of influenza as the antiviral drugs may provide the most benefit for patients who initiate therapy within 48 hours of symptom onset.
Symptoms of influenza may mimic other infections which require different treatment . It is important to be evaluated by a healthcare provider, if symptoms are severe or worsening or if there is an underlying chronic medical condition. Laboratory tests can help detect influenza virus. However, a negative test does not always rule out the possibility of an influenza virus infection, and positive tests do not exclude the possibility of other illnesses or take the place of clinical evaluation.
For more information and public health recommendations about circulating influenza virus, including resistance patterns for specific drugs, go to Flu.gov or to the CDC and WHO websites.
What Are The Recommended Antiviral Drugs For Children
At the first sign of flu symptoms, talk to your doctor about whether antiviral drugs might benefit your child. These flu drugs can help a child get better sooner and may prevent serious flu complications.
Antivirals work best when taken during the first two days of illness. The first dose should be taken within 48 hours of when symptoms started.
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Fda Approved Drugs For Influenza
There are four FDA-approved influenza antiviral drugs recommended by CDC for use against recently circulating influenza viruses.
Two older drugs, amantadine and rimantadine historically have been approved for treatment and prevention of influenza A virus infection. But many strains of influenza virus, including the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus, are now resistant to these drugs. CDC has not recommended the use of amantadine and rimantadine for recently circulating influenza viruses, although recommendations could change if there were future re-emergence of specific virus strains with susceptibility patterns favoring such use.
What Causes The Flu In Pregnancy
The same virus causes the flu in pregnant and nonpregnant people. The flu virus infects your lungs, nose and throat, causing respiratory symptoms similar to a cold. You can get the flu by inhaling the virus through the air or by touching something that has the flu virus on it.
The flu is contagious beginning one day before symptoms start and five to seven days after feeling sick. That means you can spread the flu to others before you even know youre ill.
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Resources For Drug Product Information
Information about expanded access regulations, other aspects of drug development and review, and resources about the approval status of drugs and formulations can be found at:
- Electronic Orange Book: This resource can be searched for holders of approved or discontinued marketing applications, especially for drugs that may have more than one source of generic preparations.
- : This resource can be searched for approval history and labeling information for approved drugs.
- ClinicalTrials.gov: This website is maintained by the National Institutes of Health as a resource for locating information about clinical trials. Posting a trial on this website does not constitute government endorsement of the trial or the product under study.
Will Antibiotics Help The Flu
Antibiotics have no effect on the flu. The drugs wont relieve your symptoms, reduce the length of your illness or boost your immunity to other germs. Sure, you may feel better after taking antibiotics, for a simple reason: You were already on the road to recovery. We all tend to seek treatment when our symptoms are at their peak. Over the next few days, as the virus runs its course, you start to feel better. But that would have happened even without medication.
Sometimes, antibiotics can actually make you feel worse. Antibiotics are generally quite safe, but they do carry some risk, says Daniel Knecht, MD, MBA, VP of clinical strategy and policy for Aetna. They may cause diarrhea, allergic reactions and various other side effects. Its something to keep in mind if youre tempted to take unnecessary antibiotics just in case.
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Additional National And International Influenza Surveillance Information
FluView Interactive: FluView includes enhanced web-based interactive applications that can provide dynamic visuals of the influenza data collected and analyzed by CDC. These FluView Interactive applications allow people to create customized, visual interpretations of influenza data, as well as make comparisons across flu seasons, regions, age groups and a variety of other demographics.
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health: Monthly surveillance data on the prevalence of health-related workplace absenteeism among full-time workers in the United States are available from NIOSH.
U.S. State and local influenza surveillance: Select a jurisdiction below to access the latest local influenza information.
How Do I Take Care Of Myself When I Have The Flu While Pregnant
The best way to take care of yourself is to:
- Follow your healthcare providers directions for any medications.
- Rest.
- Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.
- Avoid spreading the virus to others.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Flu in pregnancy is a serious illness. See your healthcare provider if you notice any signs of the flu. Early treatment with antiviral medications can reduce symptom severity and help you feel better sooner. Getting a flu vaccine during pregnancy is a safe and effective way to protect yourself and your baby. Talk to your provider about getting a flu shot today.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 05/26/2022.
References
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