Influenza Treatment | Right Decisions

Right Decisions
Antimicrobial prescribing: NHS Forth Valley
Primary Care Guidance
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UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTIONS
Influenza Treatment

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.

Influenza treatment

For prophylaxis see:

Annual vaccination is essential for all those at risk of influenza. For otherwise healthy adults antivirals not recommended.

Treat ‘at risk’ patients with oseltamivir 75mg BD for 5 days, when influenza is circulating in the community and ideally within 48 hours of onset (do not wait for lab report) or in a care home where influenza is likely. At risk: pregnant (including up to two weeks post-partum), 65 years or over, chronic respiratory disease (including COPD and asthma), significant cardiovascular disease (not hypertension), immunocompromised, diabetes mellitus, chronic neurological, renal or liver disease, morbid obesity (BMI>=40). Use 5 days treatment with oseltamivir. If resistance to oseltamivir or severe immunosuppression, use zanamivir 10mg BD (2 inhalations by diskhaler for up to 10 days) and seek advice. See PHE Influenza guidance for treatment of patients under 13 years or in severe immunosuppression (and seek advice).