More and more doctors are writing prescriptions for Tamiflu (oseltamivir phosphate), an antiviral medication, for treating flu caused by influenza virus. Tamiflu attacks the influenza virus and stops it from spreading inside your body. You should contact your doctor and begin treatment within 48 hours from the onset of flu symptoms.Roche Tamiflu has been found to be more effective in treating avian influenza patients as it attacks and destroys the influenza virus rather than just masking the symptoms.Avian influenza is an infection caused by avian (bird) influenza (flu) viruses. These influenza viruses occur naturally among wild birds but they usually do not get sick from them. However, avian influenza is very contagious among birds and can prove fatal for some domesticated birds like chickens, ducks, and turkeys.The risk from bird flu virus is generally very low as these viruses do not infect humans. But during an outbreak of avian influenza among poultry, there is a possible risk to people who have contact with infected birds or surfaces that have been contaminated with secretions or excretions from infected birds. Since 1997 there have been some confirmed cases, from Asia and Europe, involving humans being infected by the avian influenza virus (H5N1). The spread of this virus from one human to another is very rare and the infection does not sustain beyond one person.Symptoms of avian influenza in humans have ranged from typical human influenza-like symptoms (e.g., fever, cough, sore throat, and muscle aches) to eye infections, pneumonia, severe respiratory diseases (such as acute respiratory distress), and other severe and life-threatening complications.There is currently no commercially available vaccine to protect humans against H5N1 virus that is being seen in Asia and Europe. Research studies to test a vaccine to protect humans against H5N1 virus began in April 2005, and a series of clinical trials is under way.However, Tamiflu, an FDA approved drug, provides a treatment against bird flu virus. Always consult your doctor before beginning on a course of Tamiflu. Discuss your medical condition in detail as the dose may have to be adjusted accordingly. Pregnant and breast feeding women must be careful in the use of this medication. The patient should consume all of the Tamiflu medication prescribed to them even if the symptoms subside before the end of prescribed doses.Tamiflu is known to have some mild side effects. Roche Tamiflu is not known to interfere with other medications. This makes this drug very safe to use and administer. Tamiflu is available as a capsule or oral suspension in a nice tutti-frutti flavor.As with all diseases, prevention is better than cure. Persons dealing with infected poultry should exercise extreme care by using protective masks, eye protection, gloves and disinfectant robes.
