A new anti-viral, Xofluza (brand name), was just approved by the FDA for use against the flu. It is similar to anti-virals like Tamiflu and Relenza, except that employs a different mechanism to keep the flu virus from replicating. It stops the replication earlier in the “sequence” than Tamiflu/Relenza, thus stopping replication sooner. It is also a single dose versus several days worth.
This year my husband and daughter got the flu despite getting the flu shot. There is a particular Type-A strain that this year’s flu shot doesn’t appear to be effective for, and that’s the strain they tested positive for. My husband and daughter were put on Tamiflu and both had their fevers disappear after 24 hours, felt back to normal in 48.
Xofluza stops the virus from shedding in 24 hours, Tamiflu about 72 hours. I would assume besides making someone feel better faster, it may also help reduce the window for contagion (where they can get others sick).
Anyway, nice to have more than one method of combating the flu (flu shot and anti-virals as backup).
Here is an article on Xofluza. Japan has been using it for about a year now.
New Drug Kills Flu in One Day