Only a small percentage of people who get the flu or a similar illness are prescribed drugs shown to treat the virus, according to a Thomson Reuters study released yesterday.
The report found that 4 percent to 6 percent of patients with influenza-like illnesses filled a prescription for an antiviral medication.
Doctors usually recommend only rest, fluids and, perhaps, analgesics for treating viruses such as flu.
Copyright 2007 NYP Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.