Antivirals for Influenza | Right Decisions

Right Decisions
Antimicrobial prescribing: NHS Forth Valley
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Acute Hospital Guidance
Antivirals for Influenza

Please update your RDS mobile app to version 4.7.1

We are pleased to advise that deep linking capability, enabling users to directly download individual mobile toolkits, has now been released on the RDS mobile app. When you install the update, you will see that each toolkit has a small QR code icon the header area beside the search icon – see screenshot below. Clicking on this icon will open up a window with a full-size QR code and the alternative of a short URL for sharing with users. Instructions are provided.

You may need to actively install the update to install RDS app version 4.7.1 to see this improvement. Installing this update is also strongly recommended to get the full benefits of the new contingency arrangements – specifically, that if the RDS website should fail, you will still be able to download new mobile app toolkits.

To check your current RDS version, click on the three dots bottom right of the RDS app screen. This takes you to a “More” page where you will see the version number. To install latest updates:

On iPhones – go to the Apple store, click on your profile icon top right, scroll down to see the apps waiting to be updated and update the RDS app.

On Android phones – these can vary, but try going to the Google Play store, click on your profile icon top right, click on “Manage apps and device”, select and update the RDS app.

Please get in touch with ann.wales3@nhs.scot with any questions.

Antiviral guidance summary can be found HERE

All patients admitted to hospital with influenza are regarded as 'complicated' and should be commenced on antiviral ASAP
Antiviral prophylaxis should be offered to all hospitalised patients exposed to symptomatic influenza cases e.g. bay contact
Patients with influenza who have completed 5 days of antiviral treatment no longer require isolation & enhanced infection control precautions

At-risk groups eligible for antiviral treatment for uncomplicated influenza when admission not required:

Neurological, hepatic, renal, pulmonary and chronic cardiac disease
Diabetes mellitus
Severe immunosuppression
Age over 65 years
Pregnancy (including up to 2 weeks post-partum)
Children under 6 months of age
Morbid obesity (BMI ≥40)

(adapted from UKHSA Guidance on use of antiviral agents for the treatment and prophylaxis of seasonal influenza Version 11, November 2021)