Pandemic Flu antiviral drugs factsheet

• Antiviral drugs are special medicines for the treatment of certain viral infections including influenza
• Antiviral drugs can play an important role in treating pandemic flu
• Antiviral drugs are not a cure for flu, nor will they prevent flu 
• Antiviral drugs may shorten the duration of the illness, alleviate symptoms and reduce complications and serious illness 
• Treatment can shorten the illness by a day and reduce hospitalisations by an estimated 50% (based on seasonal flu) 
• The UK government has ordered 33 million courses of the antiviral drug Tamiflu – enough for those predicted to fall ill during a pandemic 
• During a pandemic, antivirals will be for treatment only 
• To be effective, antivirals must be taken within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms

Source: Department of Health