Seniors age 65 years and older can experience a significant reduction in mortality risk when treated with the antiviral drug oseltamivir during influenza hospitalizations, even if they were not vaccinated for flu, according to research involving 8,135 influenza patients that was published in Open Forum Infectious Diseases. Patients who were given oseltamivir had an 18% lower risk of 30-day mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 0.82; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.69 to 0.98). The overall mortality ratio within 30 days of hospitalization for the population was 8% (653 deaths). Antivirals are recommended for initiation as close to symptom onset as possible, but researchers found when oseltamivir was received more than 48 hours after hospitalization, it still significantly lowered mortality (HR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.49 to 0.90). The risk reduction was significant only for infections from influenza A and not influenza B, which is a less common strain.Â
Oseltamivir use: The study included hospitalized older adults, but oseltamivir can be used in outpatient settings and in other populations, as per recommendations. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, for outpatients with complications or progressive disease and suspected or confirmed influenza (eg, pneumonia, or exacerbation of underlying chronic medical conditions), initiation of antiviral treatment with oral oseltamivir is recommended as soon as possible. More information can be found on the agency website.
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