Three new studies probe the efficacy of antivirals in preventing and treating influenza

Of three new studies on the effectiveness of antivirals in preventing and treating influenza, two find that the drugs may shorten hospital stays and decrease the risk of infection in those at high risk for severe illness, and one concludes that timely initiation reduces the risk of death from flu-related pneumonia.

Effect on hospital stay, risk of infection
For the first of two World Health Organization (WHO)-funded studies published last week in The Lancet, a Lanzhou University (China)-led research team conducted a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the treatment of hospitalized patients with seasonal flu or zoonotic flu (spread between people and animals) published up to September 20, 2023. The trials compared the effects of the direct-acting flu antivirals on death rates and length of hospital stay with placebo, standard care, or other antivirals.