Antiviral Treatments for COVID-19 & Flu: How They Work and Why They Matter

Antiviral treatments are prescription medications that can help the body fight viral infections – easing symptoms, shortening the length of sickness, and lowering the risk of spreading the infection. They’re especially valuable for older adults and other high-risk groups, but data shows a persistent gap between the need for these treatments and actual prescription rates.

The Alliance for Aging Research partnered with CVEEP to host a discussion on antiviral treatments for flu and COVID-19 – who should take them, how they work, the need to start them quickly after an infection, and what people should do if they are sick.

Panelists included:

• Dr. Amesh Adalja, Senior Scholar, Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security
• Dr. William Schaffner, Past Medical Director and Current Spokesperson, National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID)
• Lindsay Clarke, JD, Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President of Health Education, Alliance for Aging Research (AAR) (moderator)