Antiviral therapy for patients with influenza to prevent transmission

The annual influenza vaccination is the most important measure to prevent influenza – for comprehensive advice, see the Australian Immunisation Handbook.

Antiviral therapy for influenza may reduce the risk of viral shedding and disease transmission. To prevent disease transmission, consider antiviral therapy for patients with influenza who:

• are in hospital, or an aged-care or long-term residential facility
• have household contacts that are at high risk of severe illness or complications of influenza.

The antiviral regimens to prevent transmission of influenza are the same as those for individual benefit.