On November 25th, the reporter visited multiple pharmacies and saw that there were many customers who came to purchase medication for colds, fever, and cough. According to online drug purchasing data, as influenza activities in many parts of the country enter an upward trend, the sales of antiviral drugs Oseltamivir and Mabaloxavir targeting influenza viruses have increased significantly, with growth rates exceeding 100%. According to monitoring data from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, influenza activity across the country has entered a rapid upward trend, and it is expected to further increase in the future. How can scarce drugs be used on the "cutting edge" during the flu season to avoid infection and shorten the course of the disease? How to use medication appropriately, avoiding blind overdose and preventing "emergency medication"? The reporter from Science and Technology Daily interviewed relevant experts on this matter. When experiencing cold symptoms, it is important to first identify the pathogen. The latest influenza weekly report released by the National Influenza Center showed that only one strain of H1N1 influenza showed reduced sensitivity to neuraminidase inhibitors, while the remaining H1N1, H3N2, and B influenza strains were all sensitive to neuraminidase inhibitors. At the same time, all strains of H1N1, H3N2, and influenza B viruses are sensitive to polymerase inhibitors. Oseltamivir is a neuraminidase inhibitor whose core function is to inhibit the toxicity of the virus. ”Li Nan, the director and chief pharmacist of Handan People's Hospital in Hebei Province, explained that after Mabaloxavir enters the body, it can further form a polymerase inhibitor, directly preventing virus replication. A study by the National Influenza Center shows that both drugs are effective against the current type A and B influenza. Because of this, some patients use oseltamivir or mabaroxavir as soon as they have cold symptoms, hoping to block virus infection and replication as soon as possible. Is this approach correct? Although we encourage early treatment, it is important to seek treatment as soon as the pathogen is identified. ”Li Nan said that some common colds are mostly caused by rhinovirus, coronavirus, etc. COVID-19 infection can also cause upper respiratory symptoms, while oseltamivir or mabaloxavir are completely ineffective against these viruses. The most urgent thing to do after experiencing symptoms is to be diagnosed. If diagnosed with influenza virus infection, the earlier the medication is taken, the better the effect. Generally, the best effect is achieved within 48 hours after the onset of symptoms. ”But Li Nan said that if these two flu drugs were used without influenza virus infection, it may delay the correct diagnosis and treatment. Different populations have different requirements for preventive medication. Oseltamivir can be used for prevention. ”Li Dong, the chief physician of the Department of Respiratory and infectious diseases of Beijing You'an Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University, told reporters that after having cold symptoms, taking oseltamivir would not belong to prevention. Li Dong once explained that prevention refers to the risk of infection, such as taking medication after close contact with influenza patients. Oseltamivir is used for prevention and can be taken once a day for a course of 7 days. Preventive medication has different requirements for different types of populations. Li Dong once stated that for chronic disease patients and those with severe or critical risk factors, if they have close contact with influenza patients, they need to take medication for prevention, no later than 48 hours after exposure. For populations without severe high-risk factors, after coming into contact with influenza patients, post exposure prophylaxis can be considered based on their own situation. If there is a history of exposure to influenza, severe high-risk individuals with fever and respiratory symptoms can receive antiviral treatment with oseltamivir or mabaloxavir as soon as possible without waiting for nucleic acid results. ”Li Dong once said. Children and allergy sufferers should be cautious when taking medication on their own without symptoms to prevent side effects. ”Li Nan reminds that there may be individual patients with elevated transaminase levels, so it is recommended to regularly monitor liver function when using oseltamivir for patients with underlying liver diseases. The false negative results of the rapid testing kit may address the most urgent diagnosis issue after symptoms appear. Is the rapid testing kit sold in pharmacies the best choice? Li Nan believes that the mainstream influenza testing kits currently sold in pharmacies mostly use colloidal gold method for detecting nucleoprotein antigens of influenza A (H1N1, H3N2 and other common subtypes) and influenza B viruses, which basically covers the main subtypes of influenza viruses currently circulating, and has certain practicality for the initial screening of the public. The existing test kits can assist in the diagnosis of influenza A and B, but the test kits detect antigens and have lower sensitivity than nucleic acid testing. ”Li Dong once explained that if the antigen test strip shows positive, it is generally believed to be diagnosed with influenza, but if it is negative, influenza cannot be ruled out because there is a possibility of false negatives. There are multiple reasons for the occurrence of 'false negatives', such as low viral load in the early stages of infection, non-standard sampling, and insufficient collection of mucosal cells from nasal swabs, all of which may lead to inaccurate test results. ”Li Nan said that if the test kit tests negative but has recently come into contact with a flu patient or has typical flu symptoms, it is recommended to go to the hospital for nucleic acid testing to further confirm and avoid missed diagnosis. Two experts unanimously believe that for high-risk individuals with severe illness, influenza infection can easily develop into severe illness. Once fever and respiratory symptoms occur, early diagnosis through nucleic acid testing is necessary to clarify the cause and actively intervene. (New Society)