Flu season is right around the corner. Should you get your vaccine now?
Flu Shots Have Been Disappointing:
Most people are encouraged to get a flu shot to reduce their likelihood of developing influenza. But last year the experts guessed wrong and the vaccine did not do a good job of protecting people. Public health officials hope that this year the immunization will be a better match, but we won’t know for months if that is true.
Are Flu Medicines Any Better?
What about antiviral flu medicines such as Rapivab, Relenza or Tamiflu? According to an analysis of previous studies, the data supporting such drugs leave a lot to be desired.
Use Them Anyway for People at High Risk:
Nevertheless, the experts writing in JAMA Internal Medicine conclude that when influenza is circulating in the community, early treatment with such neuraminidase inhibitors makes sense, especially for people at high risk of developing serious complications from an influenza infection.
Pregnant women, people with suppressed immune systems, the elderly and the very young should be given flu medicine, even if a rapid flu test comes up negative. Such diagnostic tests are not as accurate as one might hope.
