How effective is Tamiflu?
Unlike flu vaccine, anti-viral drugs can be used for any strain of flu. However, their effectiveness is limited. The drug must be started within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms, and it should lessen the severity of the illness, helping to save lives. One tablet must be taken morning and night for five days. The NHS cost for a five-day course of Tamiflu (10 tablets) is about £18. It can also be used as a preventative treatment, following exposure to birds or humans infected with avian flu, but in that case the course would have to continue for a minimum of seven days and up to six weeks during an epidemic. Does Tamiflu work in children? Yes, when given after the development of symptoms, to lessen the impact of the illness. However, it has not been tested as a preventative treatment in children under 12 and its safety or efficacy in that role are unknown. Are there any problems with Tamiflu? There has been one case of a Vietnamese girl with avian flu who was treated with Tamiflu and wh
