Journal of Urgent Care Medicine

Oseltamivir Can Reduce Flu Deaths Even With a Late Start

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 …

How Urgent Care Providers Can Help Prevent Flu Deaths

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to stress that immunization—plus everyday hygiene—is the best way to avoid potentially deadly flu. Urgent care providers are in an especially good position to try to influence patients, as anyone feeling bad enough to seek immediate care may be susceptible to suggestions on how to avoid feeling even worse down the road. The CDC recommends six steps providers can take to encourage even reluctant patients to …