As flu cases surge, doctors say there's more than one way to treat it

"As cases of a new, highly contagious "super flu' " surge across the nation this holiday season, more and more Americans are looking for ways to treat the symptoms, which include everything from fever and chills, to headaches and vomiting. A variant of influenza A H3N2, called subclade K, which is being blamed for an early and severe flu season in the United Kingdom, has hit residents in New York, Rhode Island, Colorado and Louisiana the hardest, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)."

"While flu vaccines usually have an efficacy rate of 40% to 60% an early report from the U.K. estimates this "super flu" strain has an efficacy rate of 32% to 39% in adults, and 72% to 75% in children, Northeastern University associate clinical professor, Brandon Dionne said. There are four FDA-approved antiviral drugs recommended by CDC to treat flu this season: Tamiflu (oseltamivir); Xofluza (baloxavir); Relenza (zanamivir); and Rapivab (peramivir)."

"Tamiflu (oseltamivir) is most commonly prescribed in the U.S. Xofluza (baloxavir) is a pill, given as a single dose by mouth, and is approved for early treatment of uncomplicated flu in people 5 years and older. (It is not recommended for treatment of flu during pregnancy, while breastfeeding, in those with progressive illness, or in hospitalized patients.) Relenza (zanamivir) is a powdered medication that is inhaled and approved for early treatment of flu in people 7 years and older. It is not recommended for people with breathing problems like asthma or COPD. (Oseltamivir and zanamivir are given twice a day for five days.)"

A new, highly contagious influenza A H3N2 subclade K is driving an early and severe flu season, causing symptoms such as fever, chills, headaches and vomiting. The strain has reduced vaccine effectiveness, with early U.K. estimates of 32%–39% efficacy in adults and 72%–75% in children compared with typical vaccine rates of 40%–60%. Four FDA-approved antiviral drugs are recommended by the CDC for treatment: oseltamivir, baloxavir, zanamivir and peramivir. Antiviral drugs are most effective when started within one to two days after symptoms begin, and prompt treatment is recommended.

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