Oct
01
2006

Antiviral Drugs Not For Flu Prevention

By | Infectious Disease, Lung Disease, Prevention

With the arrival of the fall and winter season concerns about viral illnesses crop up. The most common ailment is the flu, which occurs seasonally. Prevention measures come in the forefront, and over-the-counter remedies and herbal supplements make their appearance.
Yet at this point the most effective measures remain very basic: good hygiene, hand washing, non-exposure to people who have the flu and non-sharing of personal items that could carry the virus. Flu shots for flu prevention remain the single most effective way to prevent widespread epidemics.
Antiviral agents zanamivir (also known as Relenza) and oseltamivir (Tamiflu) have come under discussion. They have been very effective in the treatment of influenza symptoms. It is not too late to treat with oseltamivir after the patient has been infected with the flu, as the drug prevents lower respiratory tract complications. For the symptomatic relief of influenza 75 mg per day were 61% effective, and 150 mg were 73% effective. Using the drugs strictly as a prophylaxis proved to be a fallacy. Results showed that neither zanamivir nor oseltamivir prevented influenza-like illnesses.

Antiviral Drugs Not For Flu Prevention

Antiviral Drugs Not For Flu Prevention

Even though both antiviral agents are not 100 % effective, they still can be useful in the setting of a flu pandemic. They are also of help in population groups with chronic health problems or immunocompromised persons to whom any viral infection can be serious.

More info about the flu: http://nethealthbook.com/infectious-disease/respiratory-infections/flu/

Reference: The Medical Post, September 1, 2006, page 61

Last edited November 1, 2014

Jul
01
2006

Avian Flu Threat Exaggerated

By | Health, Infectious Disease, Lung Disease, Prevention

Disconcerting headlines about avian influenza has caused widespread concern. Warnings have been issued to brace for an onslaught of a pandemic that could paralyze and decimate entire nations. Countries that showed cases of avian flu were scrutinized closely. Travel stopped to areas where poultry was affected. Despite reassurance to the consumer, buyers felt unsure about choosing chicken for dinner. It has been stated before, that at this point the virus of the avian flu has not made a mutation, and it is not passed from human to human. It can be transmitted from diseased fowl to human who are in close contact with the diseased animal.
The word pandemic seems to trigger a response of fear, but it has to be mentioned that a pandemic is not new. It is universally accepted that there have been 3 pandemics in the 20-th century. Pandemics are defined by an increased number of influenza deaths. One influenza wave hit in 1968, prior to this the year 1957 showed a similar picture. Pandemics are not all equal. The outbreak of influenza in 1918/19 was severe, and young and old were affected alike. Death was in many cases due to the primary viral infection.
In the meantime flu preparedness is much more common than in previous years. Flu shots are available, antibiotics can help treat secondary infection, laboratories are working on vaccines for new influenza strains, and lately antiviral medications have come into the picture.
While the work of scientists is invaluable, in some cases the statements are too simplistic. The avian flu virus H5N1 could mutate. Looking at the facts, the virus has been around since 1997, and it has not mutated. Reporters write stories about possible future pandemics, and there is worry in the population. They need to know the truth! The truth is that we should plan. The truth is also, that a pandemic is not more imminent today than it has been since 1918. In fact it is not more imminent than a multitude of other emergencies. The outbreak of SARS has shown that it is the front-line public health and hospital staff that handles the virus most of all. The production of vaccines and a strong vaccination program is being worked on. This does not leave the rest of the population with nothing what they can do.

Avian Flu Threat Exaggerated

Avian Flu Threat Exaggerated

Good hygienic measures have to be followed. The most important one (and often neglected one) is hand washing. It does not stop a pandemic like the one in 1918/19, but it certainly makes a difference to annual influenza rates. The annual vaccination against influenza is a highly effective weapon against the influenza outbreak that happens every year, and improved vaccines will make a difference between wellness and the opposite!

More information about:

The flu: http://nethealthbook.com/infectious-disease/respiratory-infections/flu/

The swine flu: http://nethealthbook.com/infectious-disease/respiratory-infections/swine-flu/

Reference: The Medical Post, June 20, 2006, page 47

Last edited Nov. 1, 2014