Happy 2018 and Beware of Influenza – an acute respiratory illness caused by influenza A or B viruses that occurs in outbreaks and epidemics worldwide, mainly during the winter season, (Dolin, Hirsch & Thorner, 2017). When indicated antiviral therapy for the flu should be initiated as soon as possible since antiviral therapy is most likely to provide benefit when initiated within the first 48 hours of illness. Treatment should not be delayed while awaiting the results of diagnostic testing, nor should it be withheld in patients with indications for therapy who present >48 hours after the onset of symptoms, particularly among patients requiring hospitalization. Furthermore, patients who have a negative rapid antigen test for influenza but in whom the clinical suspicion for influenza infection is high should be treated with antivirals since the sensitivity of these tests may be low, (Zachary, Hirsch & Thorner, 2017).

Do not ignore – the classic symptoms of influenza virus infection which includes an abrupt onset of one of the following: fever, headache, myalgia (muscle pain), and malaise (general body weakness), accompanied by manifestations of respiratory-tract illness, such as cough, sore throat, and rhinitis (stuffy nose). Guidelines recommend an antiviral therapy for outpatients who present within 48 hours of symptom onset with confirmed or suspected influenza infection and who are at increased risk for complications. 

One of the recommended daily dose medication for influenza is the antiviral for treatment and/or prophylaxis of adults – United States.