These recommendations include six principal changes or updates from previous recommendations for use of antivirals for the prevention and control of influenza:
Antiviral treatment is recommended as soon as possible for patients with confirmed† or suspected influenza who have severe, complicated, or progressive illness or who require hospitalization.
Antiviral treatment is recommended as soon as possible for outpatients with confirmed or suspected influenza who are at higher risk for influenza complications on the basis of their age or underlying medical conditions; clinical judgment should be an important component of outpatient treatment decisions.
Recommended antiviral medications include oseltamivir and zanamivir, on the basis of recent viral surveillance and resistance data indicating that >99% of currently circulating influenza virus strains are sensitive to these medications. Amantadine and rimantadine should not be used because of the high levels of resistance to these drugs among circulating influenza A viruses, but information about these drugs is provided for use if current recommendations change because of the reemergence of adamantane-susceptible strains.
Oseltamivir may be used for treatment or chemoprophylaxis of influenza among infants aged