by 
The Curious Bag
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Antiviral chemoprophylaxis refers to the process of using antiviral medication to prevent or treat severe cases of influenza. Doctors use clinical judgment to determine who candidates for antiviral chemoprophylaxis should be. Most common candidates include young children and the elderly.
Significance
Antiviral chemoprophylaxis helps to prevent those most vulnerable to influenza from suffering serious consequences from the illness. This includes hospital patients, children younger than two and adults 65 or older.
Types
Antiviral medications commonly used for antiviral chemoprophylaxis include oseltamivir and zanamivir. These antiviral medications come in capsule form and liquid form (for young children).
Procedure
Antiviral medications should be administered within the first 48 hours after influenza symptoms start to appear. The treatment typically lasts five days.
Side Effects
Side effects of oseltamivir include nausea and vomiting. Possible side effects of zanamivir are nausea, diarrhea and sinusitis.
Warning
Individuals with respiratory problems, like asthma, should not take zanamivir.
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