As news of the A/1H1N Swine Flu pandemic spreads so do the rumours and fear. One persistently reoccurring statement is that existing flu treatments Tamiflu and RalenzaOseltamivir and Zanamivir) are not effective against the newest strain of Swine Flu. These rumours are not true; Tamiflu and Ralenza (Oseltamivir and Zanamivir) are considered to be effective and viable Swine Flue treatments.CDC: Key Facts about Swine Flu
According to the CDC and WHO websites both Tamiflu and Ralenza (Oseltamivir and Zanamivir) can treat the A/1H1N Swine Flu strain. Both drugs are currently recommended as effective treatment options. What does not currently exist is a vaccine for
the A/1H1N Swine Flu strain. Swine Flu virus A/1H1N is a never before super flu that consists of 3 known swine flu strains, 3 known bird flu strains and a human flu virus. The combination of these strains makes the A/1H1N Swine Flu an unusual, but as of yet still treatable, strain of the flu. While there is no vaccine that combats these strains, alone or in combination the anti-viral medications Tamiflu and Ralenza (Oseltamivir and Zanamivir) are expected to be fully effective when administered quickly and properly. If you suspect you or somebody you know may be suffering from this new hybrid strain of Swine Flu seek treatment immediately. The sooner you are given Tamiflu or Ralenza, the better your chances of making a full recovery. All of the known US and Canadian cases of the A/1H1N Swine Flu are being treated with either Tamiflu or Ralenza (Oseltamivir or Zanamivir) and it is too soon to declare them ineffective. More will be known as the people currently suffering from the illness in Canada and the US start to recover.
How do Tamiflu and Ralenza (Oseltamivir and Zanamivir) work?
Both Tamiflu and Ralenza were designed to combat human strains of the influenza A and B viruses. They combat the flu by inhibiting the way that the virus spreads in the body. Tamiflu is given orally and Ralenza is administered via an inhaler. Both Tamiflu and Ralenza are approved for use in adults and children over the age of 7. It is important to note that the side effects of these drugs can be similar to Swine Flu symptoms and this may be to blame for anecdotal reports that the medications have been ineffective treatments. The CDC has no vaccine for A/H1N1 Swine Flu but it has expressed confidence in both Tamiflu and Ralenza.
Ralenza (Generic: Zanamivir)
Ralenza acts to bind the virus to its host cell stopping it from spreading to other cells by attaching to the neuraminidase protein in the virus itself. This effectively grounds the virus to its host cell rendering it incapable of spreading. Ralenza is given through a type of inhaler called a "diskhaler".
Tamiflu (Generic: Oseltamivir)
To be most effective Tamiflu must be administered within the first 48 hours of infection. The effectiveness of Tamiflu greatly diminishes after this point and the longer one goes without treatment the less effective the drug becomes. Tamiflu is only available by prescription or from a hospital.
Tamiflu (Oseltamivir) is given orally as either a pill or fruit flavoured syrup. The medication has been successful in treating aggressive Bird Flu strains in the past and is currently believed to be a viable option in treating the A/H1N1 Swine Flu strain.
During clinical trials in Vietnam Tamiflu was found to be mildly effective and results were considered to be disappointing. This may be where rumours that Tamiflu (Oseltamivir) is not effective against the new Swine Flu hybrid took root.
In the Vietnam clinical trials Tamiflu was administered late after infection, in most cases after the 48 hour period had elapsed, and this is believed to be the reason for lower than anticipated success rates.
The Vietnam clinical trial results only underline the importance of early treatment with Tamiflu. By declaring A/H1N1 Swine Flu a pandemic the CDC allowed medical professionals to start treatment when a patient is suspected to be suffering from the illness eliminating the need to test and verify before treatment.
Written by Tina Kells in http://www.nowpublic.com
No comments:
Post a Comment