Influenza

• Patients should be isolated in droplet precautions. More information is available from Infection Prevention and Control Guidelines for the Management of Influenza and Respiratory Viral Illness on the intranet.
• Treatment:
  • Antivirals are most effective when given within 48 hours of symptom onset.
  • Severely ill, immunocompromised, or pregnant patients may benefit from treatment beyond 48 hours of symptom onset – consult Infectious Diseases.
• Prophylaxis may be effective as part of a prevention of infection strategy in hospitalised individuals.

Pathogens

• Common: Influenza A and B

Drug Treatment

• Duration:
  • Treatment: 5 days
  • Prophylaxis: at least 10 days

Empiric treatment

• fe (oseltamivir carboxylate - active metabolite) = 0.9, adjust dose in patients with reduced CrCl. If creatinine clearance is 10–30 mL/min give only once a day.
• If started on oseltamivir in hospital, give the patient the remainder of any course to take home on discharge (it is not funded on prescription).

Prophylaxis

• fe (oseltamivir carboxylate - active metabolite) = 0.9, adjust dose in patients with reduced CrCl. If creatinine clearance is 10–30 mL/min give only once every 2 days.
• If started on oseltamivir in hospital, give the patient the remainder of any course to take home on discharge (it is not funded on prescription).

Topic Code: 99248

must be prescribed or recommended by a consultant.