Tamiflu Shortages

There have been a lot of reports of Tamiflu shortages as swine flu cases continue to increase across the United States.

It is important to remember that according to current CDC guidelines, Tamiflu is only recommended for high-risk patients with swine flu, including children under age two to four years, adults 65 and older, pregnant women, and people with chronic medical problems, such as asthma, diabetes, and problems with their immune system, etc. Early treatment with Tamiflu is also recommended for patients with severe symptoms and those requiring hospitalization. Most other healthy children and adults, especially if they have mild symptoms, don't need Tamiflu or Relenza, the other flu medication.

In a media briefing today, Anne Schuchat, MD, the director of CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases again confirmed the CDC guidelines about Tamiflu when she stated that 'for the vast majority of people who have an illness that isn't severe and who don't have the underlying factors like very young age, pregnancy, or chronic health conditions, probably just bed rest, fluids and a little TLC is the right way to go.'

In addition to decreasing the chance that the H1N1 virus will become resistant to Tamiflu, like the seasonal flu viruses did last year, following the CDC guidelines and only using Tamiflu for high-risk patients will help to decrease the shortages, so that high-risk patients can get Tamiflu when they need it.

Related:
CDC: Questions & Answers: Antiviral Drugs, 2009-2010 Flu Season
Swine Flu Treatments
Serious Swine Flu Symptoms