Treatment
Can H1N1 flu be treated?
Yes. Treatment depends on several factors. Most people with flu-like symptoms or H1N1 flu have recovered on their own, without seeing health care providers or taking prescription medicines. For those who need prescription medicine, there are two antiviral medications (anti-flu drugs) that treat H1N1 flu. These medicines help decrease the severity of symptoms, prevent complications, and shorten the duration of the illness. Antiviral medications work best if started within 48 hours of the first symptoms.
What anti-flu drugs treat H1N1 flu?
The two prescription antiviral (anti-flu) medications that treat H1N1 flu are:
- Oseltamivir (oss-el-TAM-eh-veer), brand name Tamiflu®; comes in pill or liquid form.
- Zanamivir (zan-AM-i-veer), brand name Relenza®; comes in an inhaler; people who have underlying lung disease such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) should not take zanamivir. If you have a lung condition, remind your health care provider so that you will receive the proper medication.
These medications work by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in the body. While these drugs work best if started within 48 hours after the beginning of symptoms, they may be helpful beyond that especially for people who have severe symptoms or who are at high risk for flu complications.
There are other prescription anti-flu drugs, but they do not work against H1N1 flu.
Important reminders about anti-flu drugs and other medications:
- Only take Tamiflu® or Relenza® if your health care provider prescribes it for you.
- Do not take other people's prescription medicines.
- Do not order prescription medicines from places or people you don't know-on the internet, through the mail, or over the phone.
- Call your health care provider if the medicine you take that your provider prescribed or recommended makes you feel sick.
- Take all of your prescribed medicine, even if you feel better.
Do these prescription anti-flu medicines work for everyone?
There have been a few reports of people with H1N1 flu where Tamiflu® did not work because the virus had developed resistance to the medication. Scientists are watching this situation closely. At this time, the recommendations for preventing and treating H1N1 flu with Tamiflu® or Relenza® have not changed.
Do most insurers pay for prescription antiviral medications?
Medicaid and Medicare help pay for Tamiflu® and Relenza®. If you have private health insurance, contact your insurer to find out if they cover these prescription medications.
What is the usual treatment for people with mild flu-like illness who are not at high risk for complications?
People with mild flu-like symptoms who are not at high risk for developing complications from influenza may wish to contact their health care providers by telephone for advice and information. Treatment recommendations are similar to those for seasonal flu and usually involve nonprescription measures (for example, over-the-counter medications) to relieve symptoms. As with seasonal flu, those with mild illness will likely be sick for several days; tiredness and cough can last longer.
What treatment may be recommended for people with mild flu-like symptoms who are at high risk for complications?
People with mild flu-like symptoms who are at high risk for flu complications should contact their health care providers. They may need to take prescription anti-flu drugs to help prevent them from becoming very sick or developing complications.
What should people do if they are very sick with flu-like illness?
People who are very sick with flu-like symptoms or have any of the symptoms listed under When should someone with influenza including H1N1 flu get emergency medical care should call their health care provider or get emergency medical care right away. Their health care providers may want to examine them or may tell them to go to hospital emergency departments (ED). People who are very ill may be admitted to hospitals for treatment and care.
I don't have a regular health care provider or health insurance. Should I go to the hospital if I get sick?
It depends. If you are very sick and don't have a regular health care provider or your provider's office is closed, go to the nearest ED (emergency department) or call 911 (outside of New York City).
If you have mild symptoms and want to see a health care provider, but don't have one or can't afford to go, go to the web page Find a Health Center to find a federally-funded health center near you. Federally-funded health centers care for you, even if you have no health insurance. You pay reduced fees based on your income. These health centers are located in most cities and many rural areas throughout the U.S.
