Commonground
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May 2, 2025
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Treatment of Bird Flu
What to know
While there are different flu antiviral drugs, CDC recommends treatment of bird flu with the flu antiviral drug oseltamivir because this medication has the most human data to support its use of any flu antivirals for treatment of bird flu. Oseltamivir is available as a generic drug. There is also a brand name equivalent called "Tamiflu." When used for treatment, oseltamivir is taken by mouth twice daily for 5 days in persons who are not sick enough to be hospitalized.
People who are hospitalized with bird flu should be treated with oseltamivir as soon as possible; they may also be given oseltamivir for longer than 5 days, based on disease severity and their healthcare providers' clinical judgement. Some people with bird flu, including those that are hospitalized or immunocompromised, may be given combination treatment with more than one antiviral drug (such as oseltamivir and baloxavir). Antiviral drugs, including oseltamivir, are prescription medicines that fight against flu. They are not sold over the counter.
Who should get flu antivirals for bird flu
Bird flu is caused by infection with avian influenza A viruses. People of all ages who get bird flu symptoms after exposure to avian influenza A virus infected or potentially infected birds, dairy cows, or other animals should be evaluated by a healthcare provider and treated with oseltamivir as soon as possible if they have or are suspected to have bird flu.
Other groups who may be receive flu antivirals
People without symptoms who had exposure to avian influenza A virus-infected or potentially infected animals or animal by-products (e.g., raw milk) or contaminated environments, or had exposure to an infected person, who did not wear the recommended personal protective equipment (PPE) or who had a breach in their PPE, may be offered oseltamivir (twice daily for 5 days), as soon as possible.
Keep in mind
It is important to note that use of antivirals should not be considered a substitute for implementing prevention measures, like wearing appropriate PPE, to protect against bird flu when coming into contact with infected animals.
How to get treatment
If you get sick after being in close contact with avian-influenza A virus-infected or potentially infected birds, poultry, dairy cows, or other animals, contact your state or local health department and a health care provider right away. You may be tested for bird flu, and prescribed oseltamivir to treat your illness. It is important to take the medication as directed.
Early treatment works best
Flu antiviral medications, including oseltamivir, work best when started as soon as possible, within two days after symptoms begin. Starting antiviral treatment soon after symptoms begin also can help reduce some flu complications. However, starting them later can still be helpful, especially if the person is very sick from flu (for example, hospitalized patients). Follow the instructions for taking these medications.
For children
Oseltamivir is available as an oral suspension for children. If your child's health care provider prescribes oseltamivir capsules for your child and your child cannot swallow capsules, but the pediatric oseltamivir liquid suspension is not available, the prescribed oseltamivir capsules may be opened, mixed with a thick sweetened liquid, and given that way.
How well flu antivirals work against bird flu
Global data suggest that people who received early antiviral treatment with oseltamivir had better survival than people who did not receive oseltamivir treatment or who received it later in their bird flu illness.
Prevention
https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/treatment/index.html
Español
Treatment of Bird Flu
What to know
- There are influenza (flu) antiviral medications (drugs) that can be used to treat people who are sick with seasonal flu or novel flu, including avian (bird) flu.
- People who get bird flu symptoms after exposure to infected or potentially infected birds, poultry, dairy cows, or other animals should be evaluated by a healthcare provider.
- People who have or are suspected to have bird flu should be treated with the flu antiviral drug, oseltamivir, as soon as possible.
- Antiviral drugs can help make a person's illness milder and may shorten the time they are sick and can reduce some complications.
- In general, flu antiviral drugs, including oseltamivir, work best when started as soon as possible, ideally within two days after bird flu symptoms begin. However, starting them later can still be helpful, especially if the sick person is at higher risk of developing serious flu complications or is very sick.
While there are different flu antiviral drugs, CDC recommends treatment of bird flu with the flu antiviral drug oseltamivir because this medication has the most human data to support its use of any flu antivirals for treatment of bird flu. Oseltamivir is available as a generic drug. There is also a brand name equivalent called "Tamiflu." When used for treatment, oseltamivir is taken by mouth twice daily for 5 days in persons who are not sick enough to be hospitalized.
People who are hospitalized with bird flu should be treated with oseltamivir as soon as possible; they may also be given oseltamivir for longer than 5 days, based on disease severity and their healthcare providers' clinical judgement. Some people with bird flu, including those that are hospitalized or immunocompromised, may be given combination treatment with more than one antiviral drug (such as oseltamivir and baloxavir). Antiviral drugs, including oseltamivir, are prescription medicines that fight against flu. They are not sold over the counter.
Who should get flu antivirals for bird flu
Bird flu is caused by infection with avian influenza A viruses. People of all ages who get bird flu symptoms after exposure to avian influenza A virus infected or potentially infected birds, dairy cows, or other animals should be evaluated by a healthcare provider and treated with oseltamivir as soon as possible if they have or are suspected to have bird flu.
Other groups who may be receive flu antivirals
People without symptoms who had exposure to avian influenza A virus-infected or potentially infected animals or animal by-products (e.g., raw milk) or contaminated environments, or had exposure to an infected person, who did not wear the recommended personal protective equipment (PPE) or who had a breach in their PPE, may be offered oseltamivir (twice daily for 5 days), as soon as possible.
Keep in mind
It is important to note that use of antivirals should not be considered a substitute for implementing prevention measures, like wearing appropriate PPE, to protect against bird flu when coming into contact with infected animals.
How to get treatment
If you get sick after being in close contact with avian-influenza A virus-infected or potentially infected birds, poultry, dairy cows, or other animals, contact your state or local health department and a health care provider right away. You may be tested for bird flu, and prescribed oseltamivir to treat your illness. It is important to take the medication as directed.
Early treatment works best
Flu antiviral medications, including oseltamivir, work best when started as soon as possible, within two days after symptoms begin. Starting antiviral treatment soon after symptoms begin also can help reduce some flu complications. However, starting them later can still be helpful, especially if the person is very sick from flu (for example, hospitalized patients). Follow the instructions for taking these medications.
For children
Oseltamivir is available as an oral suspension for children. If your child's health care provider prescribes oseltamivir capsules for your child and your child cannot swallow capsules, but the pediatric oseltamivir liquid suspension is not available, the prescribed oseltamivir capsules may be opened, mixed with a thick sweetened liquid, and given that way.
How well flu antivirals work against bird flu
Global data suggest that people who received early antiviral treatment with oseltamivir had better survival than people who did not receive oseltamivir treatment or who received it later in their bird flu illness.
Prevention
- The best way to prevent H5N1 bird flu is to avoid sources of exposure whenever possible.
- If you must have direct/close contact with infected or potentially infected birds or other animals, implement prevention measures like wearing recommended personal protective equipment (PPE).
https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/treatment/index.html
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