A flu jab is the most effective way of avoiding catching flu, but despite vaccination there are still a small but significant number who may catch flu. For those people, and others who have not had a jab, there are other medicines called antivirals that can help.
Antivirals are agents that kill viruses or suppress their ability to replicate and hence, inhibit capability to multiply and reproduce.
These drugs, available only from your doctor may reduce symptoms and help you recover from the flu a day or two earlier. It is vital that they are started within 2 days of symptoms starting to be effective.
Those who are very sick with flu, are at high risk of serious complications based on age or health, should be treated with antiviral drugs as soon as possible. However others with mild illness and low risk of complications can also be treated early with antiviral drugs.
Antivirals are not always effective, but they are the only option when flu has struck and do help in some patients; however, the best way to avoid flu is to make sure you have your flu jab each year.
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Information about Influvac® Tetra (Influenza Vaccine/Surface Antigen/Inactivated) can be found in the patient information leaflet.
INF-2021-0178 DOP: September 2022
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If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in the package leaflet. Please report side effects with any medicine or vaccine to the medicines regulator MHRA through the Yellow Card Scheme.
It is easiest and quickest to report side effects online via the Yellow Card website: https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/ or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. Alternatively, prepaid Yellow Cards for reporting are available by writing to FREEPOST YELLOW CARD (no other address details necessary), by emailing yellowcard@mhra.gov.uk, by telephoning the Commission on Human Medicines (CHM) free phone line: 0800-731-6789, or by downloading and printing a form from the Yellow Card section of the MHRA website.
