How much time is the difference between getting the flu and taking medication?

Answer

Dear Jan,

Flu is caused by the influenza virus after an incubation period (time between infection and first symptoms) of 1-2 days. For some years, flu-specific drugs have been on the market: oseltamivir (sold in pharmacies as tablets under the name Tamiflu) and zanimivir (powder for inhalation).

They will shorten the total duration of illness by 1-1.5 days and relieve the symptoms somewhat. They will also reduce the chance of an additional bacterial infection. They also reduce the chance of passing the virus on to others.

However, these medications are only useful if they are taken within 48 hours of the first symptoms and, moreover, there is no clear effect on the reduction of serious complications. This medication is also quite expensive and resistance is increasingly being described.

It is therefore clear that it is not appropriate for everyone to take this medication for flu or flu-like symptoms. Only weakened persons or persons with expected complications should therefore take this medication. It can also be used by these people to avoid getting influenza if they come into daily contact with a person with flu.