Overuse of antivirals does more harm than good

With no vaccine yet ready for the influenza, the only medicines, in addition to the preventive measures that one can undertake, are the antiviral drugs Tamiflu and Relenza.

Superfluous use could lead to flu-resistant bodies
The health authorities have cautioned the general public to refrain from simply pooping these antiviral drugs for no rhyme or reason.

‘Use only when needed, and use them correctly’ is the mandate because the arbitrary use of such antiviral medications renders the fight against a pandemic much harder.

Anne Schuchat, director of the National Center on Immunization and Respiratory Disease at the CDC in Atlanta said, "Influenza viruses mutate frequently and any viral resistance could be acquired easily. It won't surprise us if we see resistance emerge as a bigger problem in the fall or in the years ahead."

A few cases of Tamiflu-resistant H1N1 have already been reported in the country. Experts opine that there are a plethora of examples wherein people have misused the antiviral medications.

Not for healthy patients
Tamiflu (oseltamivir), prescribed in pill form, essentially prevents the flu virus from leaving infected cells. Furthermore, it thwarts the spread of the virus to new cells.

Till date, it is the most potent form of treating a swine flu patient. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) has advised the health authorities to prescribe the medicines only to the seriously ill and vulnerable patients.

According to the WHO, patients of swine flu tend to recover from the virus within a week just as they recover from seasonal forms of flu. Thus, there is no need to prescribe Tamiflu to all and sundry alike.

In its guidelines issued on the use of medications, WHO noted, "Healthy patients with uncomplicated illness need not be treated with antivirals. Worldwide, most patients infected with the pandemic virus continue to experience typical influenza symptoms and fully recover within a week, even without any form of medical treatment."

Andrew Lansley, the shadow Health Secretary in England said, "In the light of this latest expert advice, it may be appropriate for GPs and the fluline to make clear to otherwise healthy patients that there may be little benefit in taking anti-virals. But I do not think it would be appropriate for us to not offer treatment to those who request it."

So far, the dreaded swine flu virus has sniffed life out of close to 1800 people as it has spread to 177 countries across the world.