Doctors warn against self-administering flu meds amid rise in cases

As some in Beijing began stocking antiviral treatments in response to an increase in flu cases, medical specialists are pointing out potential health risks and drug safety concerns.

According to the Beijing Center for Disease Prevention and Control, the intensity of seasonal influenza in Beijing is showing an obvious upward trend. Last week flu cases increased by 78 percent compared with the same period in 2019, and H1N1 accounted for 64 percent of all cases.

Driven by the sharp statistical jump, some residents are rushing to buy oseltamivir, an anti-flu medication, putting it out of stock in some stores.

Wang Yimin, a doctor in the department of respiratory and critical care medicine at China-Japan Friendship Hospital, said his department now receives 600 to 800 patients per day, the hospital's daily maximum.

He told China Daily prescription drugs like oseltamivir should be taken under a doctor's guidance.

"Antiviral drugs are used mostly for high-risk groups, including the elderly, children, patients with underlying diseases and the immune deficient. Oseltamivir is not just a cold medicine and considerations should be given to drug allergies and its impact on the functions of the kidney and liver. It should be taken with appropriate dosage and by suitable people," Wang said.

Wang added seasonal alternation from COVID-19 to flu led to a later flu season than last year, and this is consistent with overall trends.

"There are two flu peaks every year: winter and spring in the north and summer in the south. Generally, our country carries out vaccination work in autumn, ahead of flu peaks. In the past five years, flu vaccination has covered H1N1, H3N2 and other variants. Right now, we have no data about last year's flu vaccination particularly among the elderly, children, the pregnant and those suffering from immune deficiency," he said.

"We carry out awareness-raising events on flu each year and the country's response, including clinical treatment guidelines and vaccination strategy, was soundly in place. As we just went through COVID-19, people are afraid of rising flu cases. But flu exists all the time. We want to tell the public flu is a seasonal disease and it is different from the common cold," Wang said.

"Vaccination is the most effective approach. We should vaccinate every year and as soon as possible. Special attention should be given to protect high-risk groups. Otherwise, it may lead to pneumonia and a rising number of critical patients. Patients infected with the flu virus should rest at home to avoid infecting others. If their condition deteriorates, they should go to the hospital. A mask is not mandatory if patients recover from flu," he added.