Tamiflu is Effective for Preventing and Relieving Symptoms of Influenza

February 17th, 2007

Last fall, the media inundated us with fears of bird flu virus mutating to a form easily transmissible from person to person. To date, this has not occurred. Recent testing of 75,000 wild birds in the U.S. and Canada showed no signs of the highly lethal H5N1 avian or bird flu. Less than 200 persons worldwide have died from avian flu since 2003, and no reported cases have been confirmed in the U.S.

In contrast, the usual viral strains of flu that we can expect to occur each season will in a typical year kill about 36,000 in the U.S. (mostly elderly) and over 500,000 worldwide. You can do much to protect yourself and family members from this actual threat by getting flu shots before the flu season hits hard in the winter months.

Another protection available to families is to have on hand a prescription of Tamiflu (oseltamivir). This drug in tablet or liquid suspension form has proven effective in lessening the symptoms of flu and speeding recovery, and even preventing the disease after exposure to influenza. Tamiflu can improve or decrease the ailments that occur with flu – weakness, headache, cough, fever and sore throat – in just the first day of use.

Tamiflu is generally taken for 5 days to treat flu or half the dosage for 7 days to prevent the virus after having been exposed. Children may take a smaller dose, based on their weight and medical conditions as approved by the physician consulted. You should not stop taking the medication suddenly because you begin to feel better. If serious or very distressing side effects are noted, discontinue the medication and check with your doctor about what to do next.

If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant, you should not take Tamiflu. Discuss with your doctor whether it would be safe for your baby if you take Tamiflu while breastfeeding. If you have serious medical conditions such as heart, kidney, or lung problems, liver disease or other viral infections aside from Influenza A or Influenza B, your doctor can tell you whether Tamiflu is appropriate for you.

Sources:  MSNBC.com;

Entry Filed under: COLD & FLU,Cold & Flu,SENIORS HEALTH