Antiviral Medications in Seasonal and Pandemic Influenza

This systematic review of randomized and controlled trials and other relevant literature concludes that the benefits of antiviral drugs outweigh their risks. The article summarizes existing public health recommendations and examines research on antiviral prophylaxis and treatment. The authors encourage clinicians to consider the risk profile of patients in some at-risk populations and note the need for additional research on those populations and on the use of antivirals for highly pathogenic influenza viruses.