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.

Four antiviral drugs recommended by the CDC to treat the flu

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.)

Rapivab (peramivir) is given once intravenously by a health care provider, and is approved for early treatment of flu in people 6 months and older.

CDC recommendations

Antiviral drugs work best when started within 1 to 2 days after flu symptoms begin; and the CDC recommends prompt treatment for people who have flu (or suspected flu) and are at increased risk of serious complications such as: pregnant women, people with asthma and chronic lung disease, diabetes (including gestational diabetes), or heart disease.