Swine Flu Prevention & Treatment – Antiviral Drugs

In most cases, pig flu or swine flu (H1N1 virus) can be treated and prevented with antiviral drugs.

For Treatment:
If you are feeling sick, influenza antiviral drugs are available and these can help reduce the illness and heal faster. The best time to take antiviral drugs is within 48 hours upon detection of the symptoms – this is usually given for hospitalised patients and those at high risk for influenza-related complications.

For Prevention:
Influenza antiviral drugs can be used for the prevention of swine flu. These drugs are given to the person who has been closed to a person who has the swine influenza, but is not ill. The effectiveness is about 70% – 90%. For prevention, the  number of days that it should be used varies, depending on situation.

The Available Drugs:
There are 2 drugs available for the treatment and prevention of swine flu. They are:
1. Oseltmivir or Tamiflu® is approved to treat and prevent influenza virus A and B in people who are 1 years old and above.
2. Zanamivir or Relenza® is approved to treat influenza virus A and B in people 7 years and older and to prevent influenza virus A and B in people whom are 5 years old and above.

Prognosis/Studies:
In flu treatment, studies of patients who took Tamiflu within 48 hours of the first appearance of symptoms:
- Adults actually felt better 30 percent faster (1.3 days) than flu patients who did not take the drug
- Children actually felt better up to 26 percent faster (1.5 days) than flu patients who did not take the drug

Drug Side Effects:
In studies, they have found side effects with using the antiviral drug Relenza. The side effects of taking Relenza (may and may not arise in everyone) are headaches, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, nasal irritation, bronchitis, cough, sinusitis, ear, nose, and throat infections, and dizziness. Other side effects that have been reported, but were not as common, include rashes and allergic reactions, some of which were severe.

This information is only to inform you that there is treatment available. Please seek your doctor for further advice and treatment. If you have any flu symptoms, quickly seek your doctor.

This article is filed under Drugs And Medications.