Influenza - NICE guidelines

On 10 December 2010 the UK Department of Health (DH) issued a letter to NHS staff in England to inform them that In line with the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidance, the use of antiviral drugs for the prevention or treatment of influenza is now recommended (http://www.nice.org.uk).

From 1 November 2010, the relevant regulations have been updated so that the list of people 'at clinical risk' from seasonal flu and eligible to receive antivirals prescribed by General Practitioners has been extended to include pregnant women.

NICE guidance recommends that when the number of people with flu does reach a high-enough level (that is, when influenza virus A or B is ‘circulating in the community’), zanamivir or oseltamivir should be used to treat flu-like illness in people who are considered to be at risk of developing complications, provided that they can start treatment within 48 hours of the symptoms starting.

• National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE): Guidance on use of amantadine, oseltamivir and zanamivir (Relenza) for the treatment of influenza (NICE website)
• National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE): Guidance on use of oseltamivir, amantadine and zanamivir for the prophylaxis of influenza (NICE website)

For further information, see the answers to Frequently asked questions on influenza

Last reviewed: 7 January 2011