CDC recommends early treatment with flu antivirals for high-risk patients
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to recommend early treatment with antiviral medications for hospitalized patients and high-risk outpatients with flu, including children under 2 years old, the agency said Friday in an . Clinicians also should vaccinate patients for as long as flu viruses are circulating, and promptly start antiviral treatment for severely ill and high-risk patients with suspected flu without waiting for laboratory confirmation, the agency said. Outpatient visits for flu-like illness have been elevated for nine weeks, primarily due to certain influenza B viruses that can cause severe illness in all ages and higher pediatric mortality. Certain influenza A viruses that can cause severe illness also are increasing, CDC said.