When should I use Tamiflu?
Tamiflu is an anti-viral drug that can be used to prevent and treat influenza type A and influenza type B. It was also most recently used to treat swine flu, now more correctly known as H1N1 flu. Tamiflu is a prescription only drug, and should only be used if you have had a medical consultation with a doctor and been issued with a prescription.
Tamiflu works by preventing the spread of the flu virus in your body. To get the most effective results from your Tamiflu usage you need to take the medication at the right time to prevent serious symptoms from occurring.
You should take Tamiflu:
Within 48 hours of experiencing flu symptoms
Due to the way Tamiflu works, it is only effective if taken before too many cells are infected with the virus. Within 48 hours of experiencing symptoms, you still have enough time to fight off the infection, and stop it from spreading enough to make you very ill.
Within 48 hours of being in close contact with someone infected
Similarly, if you come into contact with someone who has the flu and seek medical treatment immediately, you could catch the virus even earlier and prevent it from spreading. If you are around people that have influenza, contact a doctor and give them all the information you can. It could be early enough to stop the onset of the virus.
After 48 hours
After 48 hours of experiencing flu like symptoms, if you have influenza, Tamiflu usage will not be effective. The reason for this is that the virus will have already infected too many cells in the body. Before experiencing symptoms, it could have already been actively infecting cells for almost two days. By the time you have had symptoms for 48 hours; your body will have been attacked for almost 4 days. Flu only has about a 1 week before your immune system fights it off in full, so Tamiflu will no longer be useful. You would be advised to use over-the-counter treatments to help you with the symptoms instead.
Are there any restrictions to using this medication?
While Tamiflu is a widely known effective anti-viral drug, it has more recently been suggested for use in people who are at risk of developing complications when infected with influenza. This is a recent progression, and was decided only after the pandemic of swine flu was announced by the World Health Organisation.
People who are at risk of developing more serious conditions when infected with flu, and are therefore recommended for Tamiflu usage are:
- People over 65
- People with chronic lung disease
- People with long term kidney, heart or neurological diseases
- People with poorly functioning immune systems
