NEW: Health Alert Network (HAN) No. 387 – Flu Season Begins: Severe Influenza Illness Reported – CDC urges rapid antiviral treatment of very ill and high risk suspect influenza patients without waiting for testing
February 1, 2016 | Posted by CDC Emergency Preparedness and Response: What''s NewInfluenza activity is increasing across the country and CDC has received reports of severe influenza illness. Clinicians are reminded to treat suspected influenza in high-risk outpatients, those with progressive disease, and all hospitalized patients with antiviral medications as soon as possible, regardless of negative rapid influenza diagnostic test (RIDT) results and without waiting for RT-PCR testing results. Early antiviral treatment works best, but treatment may offer benefit when started up to 4-5 days after symptom onset in hospitalized patients. Early antiviral treatment can reduce influenza morbidity and mortality
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