GPs can now prescribe antivirals as flu season officially underway

GPs can now prescribe antivirals for the prophylaxis and treatment of flu due to rising cases, the Department of Health and Social Care has confirmed.

Oseltamivir and zanamivir can be prescribed for patients in clinical at-risk groups or in anyone at risk of severe illness or complications from influenza, a letter on the 24 November stated.

Both medicines must be taken within 48 hours of symptoms, says the guidance which also notes that clinical diagnosis of influenza may be challenging currently given the similarity of symptoms with Covid-19.

‘This situation complicates recommendations for antiviral use based on clinical-epidemiological evidence alone.

‘As such, virological testing should be increasingly considered to guide case management and outbreak response,’ it said.

Guidance issued last year noted that testing for influenza should be undertaken alongside Covid-19 testing but is not required to start antiviral treatment.

Under NICE guidelines for use of antivirals for influenza, they can only be prescribed in primary care once the flu season has officially begun as determined by the number of circulating cases.

The latest surveillance report from the UK Health Security Agency says influenza activity has increased across all measures.

In primary care the number of consultations for influenza-like illness has started to rise with positivity swabs also increasing to 13%.

But hospitalisations have risen 70% in a week in the under-fives and 40% among adults, the figures show.

It comes as public health officials urged parents to vaccinate two to three-year-olds against flu after lower than expected uptake.

This age group may be particularly vulnerable having not been exposed to flu previously due to pandemic restrictions, UKHSA said.