The latest influenza surveillance weekly report is released! Is taking oseltamivir a better way to prevent influenza?

We are now gradually entering winter, and also entering the peak season for influenza. Oseltamivir has always been a "magic drug" against influenza, and an important weapon against influenza infection and reducing the risk of severe illness after influenza infection. Therefore, many people believe that they can continue to take oseltamivir to prevent influenza .

In this case, if we come into contact with someone infected with influenza, in order to prevent infection, can we take oseltamivir to prevent influenza? Let's talk about it today.

analyze

On November 23, the website of the China National Influenza Center released the 779th China Influenza Surveillance Weekly Report, Week 46, 2023.

Monitoring data show that in the 46th week of 2023 (November 13, 2023-November 19, 2023), the positive rate of influenza virus detection in southern and northern provinces continued to rise , mainly A (H3N2) subtype, followed by B (Victoria) subtype. 205 influenza-like illness outbreaks were reported nationwide .

Nevertheless, taking oseltamivir to prevent influenza is highly discouraged.

The mechanism of action of oseltamivir against influenza virus

Before we talk about whether it can be used for prevention, let's first take a look at the mechanism of action of oseltamivir against influenza virus. Influenza virus, whether type A or type B, has a glycoprotein called neuraminidase on its surface, which plays a vital role in the replication and reproduction of the virus. Oseltamivir can inhibit the neuraminidase activity of influenza virus, thereby inhibiting the replication and release of the virus, reducing influenza virus infection and spread, and is one of the most common drugs for the treatment of influenza infection.

Oseltamivir

Can it be used to prevent influenza infection?

From the perspective of its mechanism of action, it is feasible to use oseltamivir to prevent influenza infection. The instructions for oseltamivir also indicate that adolescents and adults over 13 years old can take oseltamivir to prevent influenza A and B. Within 48 hours after close contact with an influenza infected person, oseltamivir can be taken for prevention, with the dosage halved compared to that for influenza treatment, and used continuously for at least 10 days.

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However, although the instructions clearly state that oseltamivir can prevent influenza, it is still recommended that everyone be cautious.

Clinical trial data show that oseltamivir can indeed reduce the risk of symptomatic influenza in close contacts of influenza viruses, but it should be pointed out that the preventive effect of oseltamivir is not sustainable. In other words, taking oseltamivir may prevent influenza, but once you stop taking it, the preventive effect will no longer last . The entire flu season lasts for several months, during which time each of us may become a close contact of influenza, but if everyone takes oseltamivir every day to prevent influenza, it is obviously unrealistic and unreliable.

Therefore, as to the question of whether oseltamivir can prevent influenza, our answer is that it can, but it is not recommended to take medication in this way for a long time to prevent influenza.

Oseltamivir is more suitable for emergency use in some special circumstances to prevent influenza. For example, if there are elderly people over 65 years old in the family, if the family members are infected with influenza virus and are still in the onset period, in order to prevent the elderly from being infected with influenza, you can consider taking oseltamivir at a preventive dose to prevent infection and reduce the chance of infection.

But in general, it is not necessary to take oseltamivir for a long time to prevent influenza. After all, long-term use of the drug may bring more medication safety risks . Nausea, vomiting, changes in mental status, etc. are all possible adverse reactions of oseltamivir and should be paid special attention to.

In general, oseltamivir is mainly used to treat influenza. Regarding the issue of oseltamivir for preventing influenza, first of all, it is not recommended for children under 13 years old, and secondly, it is not recommended for healthy people to take it for long-term prevention . Only emergency use in special circumstances is a more reasonable way.

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In addition to taking oseltamivir, there are many other good ways to prevent influenza, such as getting a flu shot before the flu season every year to activate the body's immune system's resistance to influenza, which is a more effective way to protect against and reduce the occurrence of severe influenza during the flu season. In addition, during the peak influenza season, you can also wear masks in densely populated places, maintain healthy hygiene habits of frequent hand washing and frequent ventilation , which is also an important protective measure that can effectively reduce virus transmission and infection.

At the same time, we should continue to maintain healthy living habits, eat healthily, actively exercise, get enough rest, and maintain a positive and optimistic attitude. These will help protect our body's immunity and enhance resistance to influenza viruses and other respiratory infection pathogens.

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in conclusion

Taking oseltamivir is only a preventive measure used in special circumstances. It is more important to get the influenza vaccine in time and develop healthy living habits.

Author: Li Jin, Deputy Director Pharmacist, Deputy Director of the Youth Study Group of the Medical Committee of the China Science Writers Association

Reviewer: Liu Guiyang, Chief Pharmacist, Fourth Medical Center, PLA General Hospital

Planning丨Ding Zong

Editor｜Li Mengxin

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