Older adults are at higher risk for serious complications because our immune systems weaken with age. Older adults are also more likely to have chronic diseases that make them more susceptible to complications from infectious diseases, like the flu, RSV, COVID-19, and more.

Because the flu is caused by a virus, antibiotics don’t help treat the illness since they fight bacterial infections. But there are medications that can help prevent severe illness and complications, shorten the length of the illness, and make symptoms less severe. These flu antivirals are prescription medications that fight influenza by slowing the multiplying and spreading of the virus within the body.

Learn more with this intro to how antiviral medications can help older adults with the flu.