Effect of Oseltamivir on Viral Shedding, Illness, and Household Transmission of Influenza

Oseltamivir has become a mainstay in influenza treatment and prevention. To better characterize its effects when prescribed to patients in community settings, investigators conducted an observational study that evaluated not only clinical response to therapy but also the drug's effects on duration of viral shedding and risk for household transmission. Enrollees, recruited from outpatient clinics in Hong Kong, had real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (PCR)–confirmed influenza virus infection and resided in households with ≥2 other members, none of whom reported acute illness in the preceding 14 days. Respiratory symptoms, total symptoms, and time to symptom alleviation were assessed using a scoring system, and secondary …