However, these drugs are not approved for prophylactic use. One drug may cause worsening of asthma. If you should develop a bacterial complication, however, your doctor can give you an antibiotic. Every 10 years of so, an influenza virus strain appears that is dramatically different from the other members of its family. When this major change occurs a worldwide epidemic, called a pandemic, almost inevitably follows.
Few people have antibodies that are effective against the new virus.
One such virus caused the 1918 influenza epidemic that swept the world and left in its wake more than 20 million dead. Mass vaccination programs continue today to protect people from the illness and death that can be caused by influenza. It is covered by Medicare and some other health plans. At the first sign of influenza symptoms, see your doctor. Learn how to treat influenza in case it occurs despite your vaccination.