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Antiviral Drugs to prevent H1N1 infection - Can Tamiflu or Relenza stop you from getting swine flu?
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Waiting in line for the H1N1 vaccine
Relenza and Tamiflu are two popular antiviral medications that are being used to treat H1N1 infections. While Tamiflu-resistant swine flu mutations are emerging, notably in Wales and at Duke University Hospital in North Carolina, the H1N1 virus is still sensitive to Relenza at present. According to a Stanford study, however, neither of these medications actually prevents influenza infection.
Antivirals marketed for flu prevention
Relenza and Tamiflu both market themselves as a means of influenza prevention. A Stanford study, however, shows that neither actually prevent flu infections. The number of flu symptoms experienced, however, are less for individuals that are treated with these antiviral medications. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) do not recommend the use of antiviral medications to prevent influenza in healthy children or adults, due to the lack of safety studies.
Tainted Antiviral studies
According to the Stanford study, which scrutinized studies conducted on the subject, none of the studies done to determine the effect of antiviral medication were independently funded. Not only were the studies conducted by the same pharmaceutical companies that produce the medications, but the authors of 6 of the 7 studies included paid consultants.
Related Information:
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