Influenza B is one of two types of the influenza virus implicated in the seasonal flu epidemics that occur each year between October and March and sometimes during other times of the year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, influenza B exposure can result from direct contact with an infected person or indirectly through contact with objects such as tools or even linens handled by an infected person. Prompt initiation of the prescription antiviral drugs oseltamivir or zanamivir may prevent influenza B.
Contact a Doctor or Clinic
Step 1
Locate your health insurance card and the contact information for your health care provider. If you do not have an established relationship with a health care provider, now may not be the time to establish one. Health care providers frequently reserve urgent appointments for established patients. Review your policy's coverage for walk-in, urgent care--not emergency care--facilities. Urgent care facilities in your area will be listed in the phone book or you may obtain a recommendation from a pharmacist or a friend. If you do not have health insurance, consider your ability to pay out of pocket or contact your local public health department. Counties and large cities--particularly those near academic medical centers--frequently maintain clinics that offer free or discounted care to people without health insurance.
Step 2
Write down your personal health history, including past medical problems, surgeries and allergies--particularly allergies to medications. Collect any prescription or non-prescription medications you take regularly and write down the names and doses. Do not forget to include vitamins or dietary supplements. Your health care provider may be particularly interested in any history of asthma or other breathing problems, bronchitis, emphysema; heart, kidney, liver, or other lung diseases, inherited metabolic disorders involving fructose metabolism, allergies to milk products and the use of drugs such as azathioprine (Imuran), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), cancer chemotherapy medications, methotrexate (Rheumatrex), sirolimus (Rapamune), oral steroids such as dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexone), methylprednisolone (Medrol), and prednisone (Deltasone); or tacrolimus (Prograf.) For kids and people with kidney problems, do not forget to record weight and dry weight, respectively.
Step 3
Contact the health care provider you have selected and ask for an urgent appointment. Have your health insurance information and personal health history in front of you when you call because you may be asked some of these questions. In some cases, a health care provider may be willing to issue a prescription to established patients over the phone. In most cases, you should be prepared to come in.
Follow Your Health Care Provider's Directions
Step 1
Attend the appointment (if indicated). Arrive a few minutes early and bring your insurance card and personal health information with you.
Step 2
Follow your health care provider's advice. If your health care provider is willing to prescribe antiviral drugs, fill the prescription as soon as possible. The FDA has approved two antiviral drugs, oseltamivir and zanamivir, for the prevention of both influenza A and B. Oseltamivir is approved for the prevention of influenza B in adults and children over six months. Zanamivir is approved for the prevention of influenza B in adults and children over five years.
Step 3
Ask your pharmacist for directions on how to take antiviral drugs. For oseltamivir, he or she will most likely advise you to take each dose with food in order to reduce the risk of stomach upset. For zanamivir, he or she should demonstrate how to use the medication. Zanamivir is dispensed as a powder that is inhaled through the mouth using an included plastic device called a "diskhaler." People who have not previously taken zanamivir should pay close attention to ensure proper use of the device.
Step 4
Take the medication as directed, for as long as directed--usually 10 days.
Tips and Warnings
- Get a flu vaccine at the beginning of each flu season. According to the CDC, the flu vaccine reduces the risk of influenza by 70 to 90 percent in healthy adults. If you are at high risk of flu-related complications, also consider contacting your health care provider at the start of flu season to request a prescription for antiviral drugs that you can fill as needed.
- Do not delay! The longer you wait, the less likely antiviral drugs will be effective.
