Influenza remains a significant annual threat.
Although many patients with influenza recover at home, high‑risk individuals face substantial risks of hospitalization and death.
Who Is High Risk?
Certain populations experience more severe disease, including:
* Adults aged ≥ 65 years
* Children aged < 5 years, especially < 2 years
* Pregnant individuals
* Patients with chronic medical conditions
* Immunocompromised patients
Antivirals: Fast Action, Real Impact
Even when vaccination status is unknown or incomplete, antiviral therapy reduces influenza severity and duration.
* Most effective within 48 hours of symptom onset
* Still beneficial beyond 48 hours for hospitalized, severely ill, or high‑risk patients
* Recommended for *all* high‑risk patients, per the CDC and AAP
Early antiviral treatment saves lives.
Follow CDC guidance to promptly treat high‑risk patients and help prevent severe complications.
Keeping viral replication in check reduces illness severity, duration, and downstream complications.
Early antiviral treatment can significantly reduce flu severity and complications, especially for high-risk patients. The CDC + AAP recommend antivirals for all high-risk individuals, even when started > 48 hours after symptom onset.
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