Could Tamiflu Be the Wrong Way to Treat Children With Swine Flu?
By Paul Vallely Why are we asking this now? Because researchers at Oxford University say that a review of seven trials on the treatment and spread of flu in 2,500 children suggest that anti-viral drugs – the cornerstone of the Government’s fight against swine flu – should not be given to children under the age of 12 because their side-effects outweigh their benefits. They say that Tamiflu caused vomiting in 5 per cent of children, which could lead to dehydration and complications. They are urging the Government to rethink its anti-swine flu strategy. In response the Department of Health says that the review focuses on the use of anti-virals with normal flu not swine flu, which acts differently. It is better to be safe than sorry, it says, and will continue to offer Tamiflu – and the lesser used anti-viral Relenza – to all affected individuals. What about the other new study? There are two others, from the Health Protection Agency, which suggests that more than half the children taking
