Flu in Adults (cont.)
IN THIS ARTICLE
Medications
Some medications can be used to decrease the severity and duration of a flu attack. These are referred to as antiviral drugs. Antiviral medications are often given to those who are very sick, such as those in the hospital and others who are at higher risk of complications.
Those include children under 2 years of age (although 2- to 4-year-olds are also at increased risk, but not as much as those under 2 years of age) and children or adults with chronic illness such as asthma, chronic lung disease, congestive heart failure, diabetes or HIV, as well as those under 19 years of age on chronic aspirin therapy.
- Amantadine (Symmetrel) and rimantadine (Flumadine) are active only against influenza A. They are not recommended by the CDC during the 2009 flu season as they may not be effective against the H1N1 flu virus.
- Zanamivir (Relenza) and oseltamivir (Tamiflu) are active against both influenza A and B although resistance may develop in some strains of influenza A. These drugs are effective against most 2009 H1N1 flu strains.
- Zanamivir and oseltamivir are most effective when given within 48 hours of the onset of illness. They can decrease the duration of the disease by one day if used within this early time period. They are usually given for a period of about five to seven days. Information is not conclusive whether or not these drugs can prevent complications of the flu.
- Side effects may include nervousness, poor concentration, nausea, and vomiting. Serious effects such as worsening of asthma may occur if you have a history of asthma. Discuss side effects with your doctor.
When the lungs get infected, causing pneumonia, other antiviral drugs such as ribavirin (Copegus, Rebetol) and sometimes antibiotics may be needed.
- For nasal congestion, the doctor may suggest the use of over-the-counter decongestants. Anyone with high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, thyroid disease, or glaucoma (high pressure of the eye) should not use these decongestants.
- Phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine) and oxymetazoline hydrochloride (Neo-Synephrine 12 Hour, Afrin) are available as nasal sprays or drops. Use two to three sprays in each nostril as indicated on the label. Only use these nasal sprays or drops for up to three days. If they are used for more than that, the medication can actually worsen the congestion. These medications are not recommended for children.
- Pseudoephedrine tablets (Sudafed) tablets may help congestion.
Next Steps
Follow-up
Generally, no follow-up is needed for most flu cases unless fever or cough returns along with other new symptoms, which could signal a complication.
Next: Prevention »
| Printer-Friendly Format | | | Email to a Friend |
Important Safety Information
Vimpat (lacosamide) is a medicine that is used with other medicines to treat partial onset seizures in patients 17 years of age and older with epilepsy. Vimpat is generally well-tolerated, but may not be for everyone. Ask your doctor if Vimpat is right for you. Antiepileptic drugs, including Vimpat, may cause suicidal thoughts or actions in a very small number of people, about 1 in 500. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have new or worsening symptoms of depression, any unusual changes in mood or behavior, or suicidal thoughts, behavior, or thoughts about self harm that you have never had before or may be worse than before. Please see additional patient information in the Medication Guide at the end of the full prescribing information. This information does not take the place of talking with your healthcare provider about your condition or your treatment. Please see additional Patient Safety Information
Women's Health
Find out what women really need.
From WebMD
Cold and Flu Resources
Featured Centers
- 12 Ways to Prevent the Spread of Viruses
- 10 Surprising Benefits of Treating Depression
- Healthy Home: To Buy or Not to Buy Organic?
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
Read What Your Physician is Reading on eMedicine
Influenza »
Influenza virus infection, one of the most common infectious diseases, is a highly contagious airborne disease that causes an acute febrile illness and results in variable degrees of systemic symptoms, ranging from mild fatigue to respiratory failure and death.
Featured Topics
Explore 80+ Centers
- Allergy
- Allergy Medications
- Anaphylaxis
- Antidepressants
- Anxiety
- Arthritis
- Asthma
- Baby's Health
- Back, Neck, Head Injury
- Bioterrorism, Warfare
- Blood, Lymphatic System
- Bone, Joint, Muscle
- Brain, Nervous System
- Breathing Difficulties
- Burns
- Camping
- Cancer, Tumors
- Children's Health
- Cholesterol
- Cold and Flu
- CPR, Choking
- Cuts, Scrapes, Bruises
- Dementia
- Depression
- Diabetes
- Diabetic Coma, Insulin Shock
- Digestive System
- Dislocations
- Drowning
- Drug Overdose
- Ear, Nose, Throat
- Emotional Wellness
- Endocrine System
- Environmental Injuries
- Erectile Dysfunction
- Exercise, Nutrition
- Eye, Vision
- Fainting
- Fever
- First Aid, Emergency
- First Aid Kits
- Food Poisoning
- Foreign Bodies
- Fractures, Broken Bones
- Glaucoma
- Headache
- Health, Medical
- Heartburn, GERD, Reflux
- Heart, Blood Vessels
- Heart Attack
- Hepatitis
- Immune System
- Incontinence
- Infections
- Kidneys, Urinary System
- Lung, Airway
- Medications
- Men's Health
- Mental Health, Behavior
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Nosebleeds
- Osteoporosis
- Outdoor Living
- Overexposure
- Poisoning
- Procedures
- Psoriasis
- Public Health
- Scuba Diving, Swimming
- Seizures
- Senior Health
- Shock
- Skin, Hair, Nails
- Sleep Disorders
- Social, Family Health
- Sports Injury
- Sprains, Strains
- Statins
- STDs
- Substance Abuse
- Teen Health
- Teeth, Mouth, Oral Health
- Weight Management
- Wilderness Emergencies
- Women's Health
- Wounds


