Why are they using Tamiflu on the influenza B retro virus?

my six year old was just prescribed this, (she did have her flu shot and still got infected)

Was it seriously the only thing in our arsenal ?

we have a bunch of pharmacies, they were all out, one pharmacist called all over town and said only one store in town still had some, it had to be taken with in two days of the flu.

My doctor said that was his 10th case that day had twice as many the day before and another doctors office was on the news, this influenza B retro virus is spreading rapidly over here in Texas, but if they鈥檙e using Tamiflu for this, what else do we have?鈥?.

was this really our only defense against a mutated form of influenza? I though it was suppose to be used for the bird flu鈥?.

what are they doing about creating useful vaccines for the future? Does anyone know?

Kelli, we did find some in one pharmacy and I don't think all of our pediatricians鈥?would be prescribing this to little children all over our state if it was going to hurt them.

The problem with vaccines is that they take time to prepare and they have to be redone every year. The industry and government try to out guess the mutations that will be most prevalent. Tamiflu is a miracle in that given quickly, it fights the virus immediately. Vaccines have to be given a couple of weeks in advance so the body can build up defenses in reaction.

do whatever u like

Actually there is a lot wrong with Tamiflu. You are probably lucky because you couldn't find it. First, Tamiflu is harmful and fatal. (Just Google it.) You should not give it to children. And also, if you give it to them now and need to give it to them when they have something like the bird flu, it will not be as effective. It has been over prescribed. Please be careful.

There is a new product on the market that I have found to be natural, safe and effective for blocking viruses in a matter of minutes. It is called Blockade. You can get it at The Vitamin Shoppe. You put it under your tongue so it goes directly into your bloodstream. It blocks viruses from entering human cells. I would much rather you give this to your child. I gave it to mine as well as taking it myself. I got over the flu in a matter of hours after taking it.

HPA Press Statement

10 January 2008

Seasonal flu levels trigger use of antiviral drugs

The Health Protection Agency has confirmed that the rate at which influenza viruses are now circulating in England has reached the point which triggers the use of antiviral drugs.

The most recent surveillance data published by the Health Protection Agency indicates that the overall rate of influenza-like illness has exceeded the threshold at which the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidance recommends that antiviral drugs be used.

Doctors in England have now been advised that the use of antiviral drugs for the prevention or treatment of flu in patients who are at higher risk of developing complications from the infection is now recommended.

Professor John Watson , Head of the Respiratory Diseases Department at the Health Protection Agency, said: 鈥?Our surveillance shows that since mid December this year seasonal flu activity has started to increase to normal seasonal levels which the NICE guidelines refer to as the level seen most winters.

鈥淔or most people, flu is miserable, lasting a week or so, but not life threatening. For those in at-risk groups, however, such as the elderly and patients with heart problems, diabetes or lung, liver or renal diseases, or those who have weak immune systems, it can be far more dangerous and can lead to more serious illnesses.鈥?/div>

• 1 month ago