Oseltamivir(Tamiflu) has been recommended by WHO for the treatment of H1N1 and its complications. Deaths due to Swine flu are on the rise and the pandemic is yet to be brought under control. It is at this juncture that a new study has come out with results questioning the efficacy of the drug in treating the complications of H1N1 flu.

The review was done by BMJ and Channel 4 News in Great Britain.The review found that Oseltamivir has no added benefit in preventing complications of H1N1.No evidence exists that the widely used influenza drug Tamiflu prevents pneumonia or other complications in otherwise healthy patients who come down with the flu.Claims about the effectiveness of the antiviral drug against flu-related complications have influenced governments worldwide to stockpile Tamiflu (oseltamivir) as part of their preparations for a global pandemic, the review authors said.

Based on the data available to them, the authors of the new review concluded they have “no confidence in claims that Tamiflu reduces the risk of complications of influenza in otherwise healthy adults,” and said the drug should not be used in routine control of seasonal flu.

The World Health Organization said Tuesday that data from countries around the world show that when given early, Tamiflu can reduce the severity of swine flu symptoms. Still, the agency recommends the drug be saved for people at risk of complications, such as pregnant women, the elderly, children, and those with chronic health problems, the Associated Press reported.

“This will not change our (Tamiflu) guidelines,” said Charles Penn, a WHO antivirals expert.

Source:Medlineplus

Hearing the name swine flu, I first thought, there is nothing to worry, we don’t have pigs and we don’t eat pigs.But the rapidity with which Swine flu spread around alarmed me.

Background

Swineflu was first reported in mexico. Swine influenza is common among pigs just as influenza is common among humans. But since it was reported first among pig farmers it was named swine(pig) flu.The Swine flu virus is believed to be a new variant of the swine influenza virus which first spread from pigs to humans and then spread among humans.

The WHO has given a Level 6 alert ie that of a pandemic for Swine flu. The virus type which causes swine flu is H1N1 virus.

The treatment for H1N1 is through antivirals like Oseltamivir(Tamiflu)

References:

Nytimes,

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_is_it_called_the_swine_flu,

http://health.howstuffworks.com/swine-flu-name.htm

Swine flu cases are spreading all over India. The Institute Of Child Health(ICH) Kottayam, where I am currently doing my internship has had 2 cases of H1N1. Both were children below 12 years.

The first case gave a history of H1N1 contact. She was treated and was discharged after completion of treatment. The second case was a boy, who came from UAE. He was having very severe disease during the time of admission, he was having some co-morbid conditions(cerebral Palsy). Eventhough he was treated for 3 days, he didnt respond to treatment.

Prophylactic measures are taken by the government of India. Now our hospital has supply of the antiviral drug Oseltamivir( Fluvir).

The recommended dosage for prophylaxis is,

1 tablet of Oseltamivir(75mg) once daily for 10 days from the day of contact with a known case of H1N1.

If there are subsequent contacts with H1N1 cases, it is recommended that the person should take the medicine for 10 more days from the period of last contact.

ie If I have started taking medicine today, I have to take it for 10 days. But if I have another contact on the 5th day, I have to take day 5 as day 1 of the next course and take it for 10 more days. So the total number of days become 15.

Post exposure antiviral chemoprophylaxis with either oseltamivir or zanamivir can be considered for the following:

1. Close contacts of cases (confirmed, probable, or suspected) who are at high-risk for complications of influenza
2. Health care personnel, public health workers, or first responders who have had a recognized, unprotected close contact exposure to a person with novel (H1N1) influenza virus infection (confirmed, probable, or suspected) during that person’s infectious period. Information on appropriate personal protective equipment is available at: Interim Guidance for Infection Control for Care of Patients with Confirmed or Suspected Swine Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Infection in a Healthcare Setting and might be updated frequently as additional information on transmission becomes available.

for more details visit the CDC website :