Flu Medicines for Swine Flu
Flu medicines for swine flu have been effective. Older antiviral drugs don't work but Tamiflu and Relenza are being used to shorten the duration of the flu and as a preventative. The use of antiviral medicines may also make a flu illness milder.
The CDC (US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) did tests on the both Tamiflu (oseltamivir) and Relenza (zanamivir), and the current swine flu H1N1 flu virus was found to be susceptible to both the flu medications. The older flu drugs, amantadine and rimantadine were found to be ineffective, as the swine flu has a resistance to these medicines.
Photo courtesy of Francois Rejete
Influenza medicines require a prescription. They are used to shorten the duration of the flu, usually by about a day. Antiviral meds must be taken within the first 48 hours of the illness for them to work.
Doctors online
is a way to ask a question about flu medicines without having to leave your home. Antiviral medicines will NOT be effective for other viruses, including those like
stomach flu
, that are frequently confused with influenza.
NO, NO, NO to Aspirin!Children or teenagers should never be given aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) if you suspect that they have the flu. Giving them aspirin can cause a rare, but very serious illness called
Reye's Syndrome
. To help them feel better, the CDC recommends that children can be given the following, safely: - Tylenol – acetaminophen (generic name)
- Advil, Motrin, Nuprin – ibuprofen (generic name)
- Aleve – naproxen (generic name)
***I tend to be a bit more conservative than the CDC in my recommendations. If there is ANY chance that your patient is showing
severe symptoms
, do not give them aspirin or NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen, etc.) If the H1N1 flu virus gets more virulent, and we start to see
cytokine storms
, aspirin and NSAIDs can make the situation worse! And, we can look to history and the
1918 Spanish Flu Pandemic
to see how the
aspirin side effects
may have increased the number of swine flu deaths in 1918.
Who Needs Flu Medicines?
Most people who get the H1N1 swine flu virus get well without the use of influenza medications. However, there are some people who should have the help of medicine, and its use can help to prevent complications of the flu.- Chronic medical conditions - People with chronic conditions like diabetes or with lung ailments should have antiviral medications.
- Hospitalized patients - Patients that are ill enough to be hospitalized should have antiviral medicines.
- Caretakers - People who are caring for someone with swine flu. The CDCreports that antiviral drugs are 70-90% effective when used as a preventative.Tamiflu, generically known as oseltamivir, is by far, the most recognized antiviral medicine.
- Children
- Young people and children have been especially susceptible to the swine flu. Children 1 year of age and older can take Tamiflu. Children 7 and older can be treated with Relenza, and Relenza can be used to prevent infection in children 5 and older. (CDC)
People who should NOT take Relenza
There are a few people who should not take Relenza. Relenza is not recommended for people who have chronic respiratory conditions like asthma or COPD. If you have a chronic lung condition of any kind, including such conditions as sleep apnea, make sure that you mention your lung condition to your doctor! This is very important.
People who develop secondary bacterial infections like bacterial pneumonia will have to take antibiotics. If you have the flu, seem to get better, then take a turn for the worse, you may have a bacterial infection. If so, you will probably need to take antibiotics to get rid of it. Your doctor will prescribe it for you.Over the counter cold and flu medications may help to lessen flu symptoms like cough and congestion, but, these medicines do not lessen how contagious a person with flu is! Flu Medicines have their place in swine flu treatment. However, you need to have a prescription to get them, and your doctor should decide if their use is appropriate for you. If the swine flu turns into a full scale
flu pandemic
, doctors will prescribe flu medicines only for those needing them most. If you have a question about flu medicines or other questions about H1N1, you might want to consider
doctors online advice.
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