CDC: Start Antiviral Treatment ASAP for Hospitalized Patients with Suspected Flu

The CDC's message is clear: time is of the essence. They're recommending that any patient hospitalized with suspected flu begin receiving antiviral medication immediately. According to the CDC, "Treatment should not wait for laboratory confirmation of influenza because laboratory testing can delay treatment and because a negative rapid test for influenza does not rule out influenza." Antiviral medications can reduce the severity and duration of influenza as well as influenza-related complications, including severe illness and death.