What is the current treatment for Influenza A (influenza type A)?

From the Guidelines

The current treatment for influenza A primarily involves antiviral medications, with the goal of starting treatment as soon as possible after illness onset, ideally within 48 hours, to reduce the risk of complications.

Key Considerations

• The treatment should not be delayed while awaiting diagnostic test results, and empiric antiviral treatment is often necessary 1.
• High-risk patients, including children aged <2 years, adults aged ≥65 years, and persons with chronic medical conditions, should be treated promptly to prevent complications 1.
• Antiviral treatment can be considered for any previously healthy, symptomatic outpatient not at high risk with confirmed or suspected influenza, if treatment can be initiated within 48 hours of illness onset 1.

Treatment Options

• Neuraminidase inhibitors, such as oseltamivir, are recommended for antiviral treatment, although the specific dosage and treatment duration may vary depending on the patient's age, weight, and medical condition 1.
• Alternative antivirals, such as zanamivir and peramivir, may also be considered, although their use may be limited by factors such as age and respiratory conditions 1.

Supportive Care

• Supportive care, including rest, adequate hydration, and fever management with acetaminophen or ibuprofen, is equally important in the treatment of influenza A 1.
• Early antiviral treatment, ideally within 48 hours of symptom onset, is crucial to reduce the risk of complications, such as pneumonia, respiratory failure, and death, and to improve patient outcomes.

Patient Evaluation

• Clinical judgment, based on the patient's disease severity and progression, age, underlying medical conditions, likelihood of influenza, and time since onset of symptoms, is important to consider when making antiviral treatment decisions for high-risk outpatients 1.

From the FDA Drug Label

Oseltamivir phosphate for oral suspension is indicated for the treatment of acute, uncomplicated illness due to influenza A and B infection in patients 2 weeks of age and older who have been symptomatic for no more than 48 hours. RELENZA, an influenza virus neuraminidase inhibitor (NAI), is indicated for: Treatment of acute, uncomplicated influenza type A and B infections in patients aged 7 years and older who have been symptomatic for no more than 2 days.

The current treatment for Influenza A (influenza type A) includes:

• Oseltamivir (PO): for patients 2 weeks of age and older who have been symptomatic for no more than 48 hours 2
• Zanamivir (INH): for patients aged 7 years and older who have been symptomatic for no more than 2 days 3 Key considerations:
• Treatment should be initiated within 48 hours of symptom onset for oseltamivir and within 2 days for zanamivir
• These medications are not a substitute for early influenza vaccination on an annual basis

From the Research

Current Treatment for Influenza A

The current treatment for Influenza A includes the use of antiviral agents such as amantadine, rimantadine, zanamivir, and oseltamivir 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.

• Amantadine and rimantadine are older antiviral agents that are effective against influenza A, but resistance can develop rapidly 4, 5, 7.
• Zanamivir and oseltamivir are newer neuraminidase inhibitors that are effective against both influenza A and B 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.
• These antiviral agents are most effective when started within 24 to 48 hours of the onset of symptoms 4, 5, 7.
• Treatment with these agents can reduce the duration of fever and illness by one to two and one-half days and also reduce the severity of some symptoms 4, 5, 7.

Recommendations for Use

• The decision to use these agents should be based on the age of the patient, antiviral activity, side effect profile, ease of administration, drug interactions, and cost 5.
• Treatment should be continued only in patients with a confirmed diagnosis of influenza 5.
• Influenza should be treated with antiviral drugs in unvaccinated and vaccinated high-risk patients, as well as immunosuppressed patients with influenza-like illness, in periods of confirmed influenza prevalence 7.