Influenza treatment

Plan ahead for the flu season with our episode today where we talk about how to treat the common flu, also known as influenza.Follow us on Twitter/X @Pediagogypod, Instagram/Threads @pediagogy, Bluesky @pediagogypodcast.bsky.social, and connect with us at [email protected] This episode was written by pediatricians Tammy Yau and Lidia Park with content support from Dean Blumberg (UC Davis pediatric infectious disease). Pediatricians Tammy and Lidia take full responsibility for any errors or misinformation.  Key Points: The influenza vaccine is important every flu season! Anti-viral neuraminidase inhibitors like oseltamivir/Tamiflu (oral), zanamavir (inhaled), and peramavir (IV) prevent the flu virus from fusing with infected cell membranes preventing the release of the virus  Baloxivir is a endonuclease inhibitor that inhibits mRNA synthesis that can be given as a one time dose to treat influenza infections. Otitis media, PNA, retropharyngeal abscesses, Pott puffy tumors, empyema, meningitis, encephalitis, GBS, acute cerebella ataxia, transverse myelitis, myositis, pericarditis, and myocarditis are all serious complications that can occur with influenza infections Sources: O’Leary ST, et al. Recommendations for Prevention and Control of Influenza in Children, 2024–2025: Technical Report. Pediatrics. 2024 Oct 1;154(4). doi: 10.1542/peds.2024-068508 AAP Red Book, 2023. doi:10.1542/9781610025782-S3_068 Moscona, A. Neuraminidase Inhibitors for Influenza. N Engl J Med 2005;353:1363-1373. 2025 Sept 9. doi: 10.1056/NEJMra05074