Tamiflu- the most preferred drug for bird flu

Bird flu might have disappeared from the news recently but the likelihood of a human pandemic has not retreated along with media interest in the story. Avian influenza or bird flu is more like a viral infection. The beginning of bird flu starts with symptoms like coughing, nose and throat infection accompanied with high fever and irritating aches and pains. Bird flu clearly differentiate itself from a minor viral infection through its area of influence hence the medication and plan of treatment is totally different.

H5n1 is the active strain that causes avian influenza or bird flu. It is commonly present in the gut of the wild migratory birds but due to their natural resistance it does not have any effect on them. When wild and domestic stocks mix the strain passes over to domestic poultry, it turns fatal. This has been clearly indicated by recent large scale outbreaks in china and other south East Asian countries.

Some of the suggested ways to take care of, while suffering from influenza are: taking a proper rest, consuming a lot of fluids which ultimately help us avoid dehydration and taking pain relievers to get a temporary relief from the effects of flu. To give relief from influenza tamiflu was introduced. Tami flu (oseltamivir phosphate) attacks the influenza virus and stops it from spreading inside your body is an FDA approved anti-flu drug providing a healthier and safer life to the majority of people suffering from influenza.

Tami flu belongs to the family of medicines called neuraminidase inhibitors. These medications help in attacking the influenza virus and prevent it from spreading inside your body. Some of the most noted and effective drugs against bird flu are amantadine, relenza, rimantadine and tamiflu. Out of all these tamiflu has been acclaimed as the number one doctor prescribed flu medicine in the last flu season. Due to its unbeatable results and performance tamiflu continues to be the only preferred medicine for the treatment of bird flu.

Roche, the maker of tamiflu confirms that oral anti-influenza drug tamiflu (oseltamivir) could be effective in the treatment and post-contact prevention of avian influenza that is circulating in the Far East therefore tamiflu and bird flu are associated with each other. Tamiflu helps in reducing common flu and bird flu symptoms such as weakness, headache, fever, cough, and sore throat by 1 day. Tamiflu (oseltamivir phosphate) has also been shown to prevent influenza infection if you have come into close contact with someone who has the flu. Tamiflu, one of the most sought after drug for treating flu is the only antiviral drug available in the United States for both the treatment and prevention of the most common strains of influenza types A and B.

The flu drug belongs to the latest breed of the neuraminidase inhibitor (NI) class of medicines designed specifically to prevent the influenza virus from spreading and infecting other cells. It is immensely effective against all common strains of influenza (types A and B). The medication targets one of two major surface structures on the influenza virus - the neuraminidase protein. The neuraminidase protein is virtually the same in all common strains of influenza. If neuraminidase is inhibited, the virus is not able to infect new cells.

Tamiflu dosage will be different for different patients. You're required to follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of tamiflu. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so. For adults 75 milligrams (mg) two times a day for five days.

For children of 1 year of age or older the dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. It is usually between 30 and 75 mg two times a day for five days. For children up to 1 year of age, use and dose is determined by the doctor. For adults and for teenagers of 13 years of age or older the prescribed dose is 75 mg once a day for at least seven days. For children up to 13 years of age use and dose is determined by the doctor.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention. More common side effects may include diarrhea; nausea and vomiting. These events were generally of mild to moderate degree and usually occurred on the first 2 days of administration. Other tamiflu side effects include abdominal or stomach pain; bloody nose or unexplained nosebleeds (occurs mainly in children); burning, dry or itching eyes, redness, pain, swelling of eye or eyelid, or excessive tearing (occurs mainly in children); cough; dizziness; ear disorder (occurs mainly in children); fatigue; headache; trouble in sleeping. Some side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.

Tamiflu has been tested in a pre-clinical setting against a wide range of influenza virus strains. Despite the lack of clinical data, these pre-clinical findings provide reassurance that tamiflu is the best medicine against bird flu.

The author is an amateur writer focusing primarily on health related topics or on the health related research findings. For more information on Tamiflu, visit http://www.arrestflu.com