Treatment for Influenza (flu)

Who should be treated?

Prompt empiric treatment with antiviral medications should be initiated for¹⁸:

• Illness that requires hospitalization
• Progressive, severe, or complicated illness
• Patients at risk for severe disease including^19,20
  • Children <2 years old
  • Adults ≥65 years old
  • Pregnant women
  • Persons with:
    • Chronic pulmonary, renal, hepatic, hematological, or metabolic disorders
    • Disorders that compromise respiratory function or the handling of respiratory secretions
    • Immunosuppression caused by medication or HIV
    • People <19 years old receiving long-term aspirin therapy 

Antiviral treatments

Approved treatments include Zanamivir, Oseltamivir, Amantadine, and Rimantadine. The CDC provides complete dosing guidance for each medication. Learn more

Get useful guidelines for managing patients with flu