How to spot serious flu symptoms in older adults

GETTING EARLY TREATMENT WITH ANTIVIRALS When it comes to treating the flu, time is of the essence. You typically have two days from the onset of symptoms to start taking an antiviral drug —

a type of prescription medicine that keeps the flu virus from replicating in your body. Antiviral treatment can be the difference between having a milder case of the flu versus a more

serious bout. Some studies have reported that when used early enough, it can reduce the risk of death for adults hospitalized with the flu. “Anyone who thinks they have influenza should

call their doctor, because early treatment is paramount to getting better, and there’s a limited window after onset of symptoms for antivirals to work,” says Auwaerter of Johns Hopkins.

“Patients with risk factors or progressive symptoms of influenza have a longer period for which antiviral medicines may have some impact, even three to four days into their illness,” he

adds. But sooner is better “to avoid severe illness or hospitalization.” Your doctor will take into account your overall health when prescribing one of the four antivirals recommended by the

CDC to treat the flu: OSELTAMIVIR PHOSPHATE (TAMIFLU) One of the oldest antivirals on the market, this is taken as a pill or liquid suspension and is also available as an equally effective,

and often cheaper, generic medicine. Clinical trials have proven that this drug works to relieve flu symptoms. ZANAMIVIR (RELENZA) Taken through an inhaler device, this drug isn’t

recommended for people with breathing problems such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma. PERAMIVIR (RAPIVAB) Given intravenously, this antiviral is used for

hospitalized patients. BALOXAVIR MARBOXIL (XOFLUZA) One of the newest antivirals available, it can be taken as a single dose (as opposed to Tamiflu, which is taken over several days). Given

its side effects, however, this medication is not recommended for people with other illnesses, or those whose immune systems are severely compromised.