Parents, are you aware of the scientific studies and warnings of Tamiflu? In August 2009, British parents were warned to not give their children Tamiflu or Relenza for treatment of swine flu. The risks are just too high warned scientists.
Dr Carl Heneghan, a GP and expert from the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, warned the government that Tamiflu was not a 'magic bullet'. Dr Matthew Thompson, a GP and researcher at Oxford University, along with Dr. Carl Heneghan, analyzed four studies of children from the ages of one-year to twelve-years-old who were taking Tamiflu or another anti-viral, Relenza.
The respected study by the BMJ August 2009, British Medical Journal (also see video explanation: So what are the risks for children on Tamiflu and Relenza) found that half the children taking Tamiflu had side effects of vomiting, nausea, and nightmares. One out of twenty children who took the drug vomited, this is in addition to the vomiting already caused by the flu, therefore increasing the most serious side effect as it leads to dehydration and hospitalization.
The British Health officials dismissed these findings, distributing 100,000 packs of Tamiflu for children under twelve-years-old, saying that the report only applied to the seasonal flu; but the researchers took special care to note that their findings included the swine flu.
The studies revealed that these children were likely to get better less than a day earlier than they would with just rest and recuperation; however, in two of the studies the benefit was not statistically significant. In addition, Tamiflu also has very little impact on the spread of swine flu, and handing it out freely could even increase the virus's resistance to the drug.
Dr Heneghan warns of Tamiflu: 'The downside of the harms outweigh the one-day reduction in symptomatic benefits.' He further suggests that healthy children with mild symptoms should be treated with rest and drinks, but parents do need to be on guard and watch for signs of getting worse.
Despite the reports and warnings, the CDC recommends Tamiflu and Relenza: Updated Interim Recommendations for the Use of Antiviral Medications in the Treatment and Prevention of Influenza for the 2009-2010 Season
According to CDC and WHO data, far fewer people have died from H1N1 than any seasonal flu in the past. CDC graph report for "Pneumonia and Influenza Mortality for 122 US Cities" (week ending Nov 17, 2009) shows that the seasonal flu, swine flu, and pneumonia related deaths combined, are still so far below that of 2008.
Dr. Mercola asks, "Why are our health officials recommending mass use of ineffective drugs that carry a higher risk of detrimental side effects than the illness it is supposed to treat?"
A strong immune system is key to fighting off viruses and other illness
Optimize Vitamin D levels, avoid sugar and processed foods, get enough rest, exercise, take a good source of animal-based omega-3 fats, such as Krill oil, (avoid omega-6 oils that are trans-fats in processed foods), wash hands frequently, and avoid immunizations; research shows that virtually all vaccinations will LOWER your immune system, NOT make it stronger.
Stay informed, eat well, live well.
Read more: Swine flu drug Tamiflu 'a danger to children' and should not be given to them, expert warns
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