Influenza Guidance Documents
These documents* offer recommendations on the management of patients with confirmed or suspected influenza, including antiviral treatment and infection control practices. Information on management of specific populations including children, pregnant women, and persons with HIV/AIDS, as well as for cases or clusters in specific settings such as congregate facilities and institutes of higher education are presented on Guidance for Specific Populations or Settings.
Decisions regarding the clinical management of patients with influenza-like illness should be based on local current surveillance data, clinical judgment, underlying risk conditions, and severity of illness. For information related to vaccines please consult the NYC vaccination page.
General Clinical Guidance Documents
- Physician Alerts
- High Risk Groups for severe illness or complications due to influenza
- Regulation for Prevention of Influenza Transmission by Healthcare and Residential Facility and Agency Personnel
Diagnostic Testing Documents
* The guidance documents posted here were developed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),medical societies or other federal or state public health authorities.
Guidance for Specific Populations or Settings
These documents offer recommendations on the management of specific populations including children, pregnant women, and persons with HIV/AIDS, as well as for cases or clusters in specific settings such as congregate facilities and institutes of higher education.
Pregnant and Post-partum Women
Pregnant and post-partum women are at higher risk for severe illness and death from seasonal influenza. The Health Department strongly recommends that pregnant women receive seasonal influenza vaccine and be treated with antiviral medications as early as possible if they develop influenza-like illness (ILI).
Infants, Children, and Adolescents
Children under the age of 2 years are at higher risk for severe illness and complications from influenza and should be treated with antiviral medications as early as possible if they have suspected or confirmed influenza. Children who have underlying medical conditions should also be treated empirically and promptly with antivirals if they develop ILI. All children older than 6 months of age should receive seasonal influenza vaccine. Caution should be used when prescribing pediatric oseltamivir suspension for children due to the risk of dosing errors. If shortages of oseltamivir suspension occur, the drug can be compounded.
External Links
- CDC: CDC Adult Care Algorithm (PDF)
- IDSA GUIDELINES: Seasonal Influenza in Adults and Children—Diagnosis, Treatment, Chemoprophylaxis, and Institutional Outbreak Management: Clinical Practice Guidelines of the Infectious Diseases Society of America
- Influenza Antiviral Medications: Summary for Clinicians