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Treatments and drugs
By Mayo Clinic staffMost cases of flu, including H1N1 flu, need no treatment other than symptom relief. If you have a chronic respiratory disease, your doctor may prescribe additional medication to decrease inflammation, open your airways and help clear lung secretions.
The antiviral drugs oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza) are sometimes prescribed to reduce the severity of symptoms, but flu viruses can develop resistance to them. Some researchers recommend further study on both of these drugs due to uncertainty about their effects beyond the initial reduction in symptoms.
To make development of resistance less likely and maintain supplies of these drugs for those who need them most, antivirals are reserved for people at high risk of complications.
High-risk groups are those who:
- Are hospitalized
- Have shortness of breath along with other flu symptoms
- Are younger than 5 years of age, particularly children younger than 2 years
- Are 65 years and older
- Are pregnant or within two weeks postpartum, including women who have had pregnancy loss
- Are younger than 19 years of age and are receiving long-term aspirin therapy, because of an increased risk for Reye's syndrome, a rare but potentially fatal disease
- Have certain chronic medical conditions, including asthma, emphysema, heart disease, diabetes, neuromuscular disease, obesity, and kidney, liver or blood disease
- Are immunosuppressed due to medications or HIV
- Thorner AR. Epidemiology of pandemic H1N1 influenza ('swine influenza'). http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed May 10, 2012.
- H1N1 (Originally referred to as Swine Flu). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.flu.gov/types/h1n1/index.html. Accessed May 10, 2012.
- Key facts about human infections with variant viruses (swine origin influenza viruses in humans). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/swineflu/keyfacts-variant.htm. Accessed May 10, 2012.
- What you should know about antiviral drugs. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/antivirals/whatyoushould.htm. Accessed May 10, 2012.
- Thorner AR. Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of pandemic H1N1 influenza ('swine influenza'). http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed May 10, 2012.
- Thorner AR. Treatment and prevention of pandemic H1N1 influenza ('swine influenza'). http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed May 10, 2012.
- Jefferson T, et al. Neuraminidase inhibitors for preventing and treating influenza in healthy adults and children. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. http://ovidsp.tx.ovid.com/sp-3.5.1a/ovidweb.cgi?&S=MJGAFPPDAFDDBDDBNCALFHGCMLDJAA00&Complete+Reference=S.sh.15%7c1%7c1. Accessed May 10, 2012.
- The flu: What to do if you get sick. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/takingcare.htm. Accessed May 10, 2012.
- Key facts about seasonal flu vaccine. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm. Accessed May 10, 2012.
- Vaccine selection for the 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 influenza seasons. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/vaccine-selection.htm. Accessed May 12, 2012.
- A guide to safe use of pain medicine. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm095673.htm. Accessed June 5, 2012.
- CDC reports cases 18-29 of H3N2v virus infection; continues to recommend interim precautions when interacting with pigs. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/spotlights/h3n2v_us_cases.htm. Accessed Aug. 6, 2012.
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