Who is prioritized for treatment with influenza antiviral drugs?
Most people ill with influenza will recover without complications. Some people are at increased risk of influenza complications and are prioritized for treatment with influenza antiviral drugs this season. They include: • People hospitalized with suspected or confirmed influenza • People with suspected or confirmed influenza who are at higher risk for complications • Children younger than 5 years old (children under 2 years old are at higher risk for complications than older children) • Adults 65 years and older • Pregnant women • People with certain chronic medical or immunosuppressive conditions • People younger than 19 years of age who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy Physicians may also decide not to treat some people in these groups and/or treat people who are not in these groups based on their clinical judgment.
Most healthy persons (i.e., those without a condition which puts them at higher risk for complications) who develop an illness consistent with uncomplicated influenza do not need to be treated with antiviral medications and will recover without complications. However, clinical judgment should be the ultimate guide in making antiviral treatment decisions for ill persons who are not at higher risk for complications from influenza. Early empiric treatment with oseltamivir or zanamivir is recommended for all persons with suspected or confirmed influenza requiring hospitalization. Prompt empiric outpatient antiviral therapy is also recommended for persons with suspected influenza who have symptoms of lower respiratory tract illness or clinical deterioration regardless of previous health or age. Early empiric treatment should be considered for persons with suspected or confirmed influenza who are at higher risk for complications, even if not hospitalized, including: • Children younger than 2
