Antiviral Therapy and Outcomes of Influenza Requiring Hospitalization in Ontario, Canada

Background.We conducted a prospective cohort study to assess the impact of antiviral therapy on outcomes of patients hospitalized with influenza in southern Ontario, Canada. Methods.Patients admitted to Toronto Invasive Bacterial Diseases Network hospitals with laboratory-confirmed influenza from 1 January 2005 through 31 May 2006 were enrolled in the study. Demographic and medical data were collected by patient and physician interview and chart review. The main outcome evaluated was death within 15 days after symptom onset. Results.Data were available for 512 of 541 eligible patients. There were 185 children (