Highlights

New Brands of Influenza Vaccines

Two new injectable vaccines, FluLaval and Fluarix, are available for use in the U.S. during the 2006 - 2007 flu season. FluLaval has been available in Canada since 2001. Fluarix was approved by the FDA in August 2005 and has been available worldwide since 1992.

Antiviral Drugs for Influenza

There are two classes of antiviral medications for the flu: M2 inhibitors and neuraminidase inhibitors. M2 inhibitors should not be used because many strains of influenza A (the more serious strain of flu) have become resistant to these agents. Ideally, people should be vaccinated in October and November.

Cold or Flu?

In most cases, it’s easy to differentiate a cold from the flu. Typically, cold symptoms are much milder than flu symptoms. A cold rarely causes fever, while the flu commonly causes fever, which can be high (102 - 104° F). Unlike colds, flu causes a hacking cough, marked fatigue, and severe muscle aches.

One of the best ways to avoid getting either a cold or the flu is frequent hand washing.

New Vaccine for Avian Flu

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a vaccine to protect humans from the avian flu. Experts say the vaccine could be used if the current H5N1 virus starts spreading between people.

Review Date: 12/21/2006
Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital.

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