Millions Come Down With Flu

From the start of the flu season in October 2018 to Feb. 16, an estimated 17.7 million to 20.4 million people have been stricken with the flu in the United States, and many are coming down with the more severe influenza A H3N2 strain. Fortunately, the influenza vaccines are a good match for the strains circulating this season, and all three neuraminidase inhibitor antiviral drugs oseltamivir (Tamiflu, Genentech), peramivir (Rapivab, Seqirus), and zanamivir (Relenza, GlaxoSmithKline) are effective against this season’s flu, as is the cap-dependent endonuclease inhibitor baloxavir marboxil (Xofluza, Genentech)