Post #47 How to Optimally Utilize Tamiflu

Every year in the United States, the CDC estimates that influenza results in between 9 million – 45 million illnesses, between 140,000 – 810,000 hospitalizations, and between 12,000 – 61,000 deaths (approximately 100  – 200 being pediatric fatalities). In the United States, the immense disease burden of the flu is unparalleled with any other pathogen, but fortunately there is a vaccine and antiviral medications which help to mitigate the yearly morbidity and mortality wrought by influenza.Because the flu changes its shape every year by a process called antigenic shift and drift, it is necessary for individuals to receive annual flu vaccines to maintain optimal protection against the virus. Protection from illness proffered by the immunization typically wavers between 40  – 60% in any given year; it is by far the best, no-brainer weapon that modern medicine has to offer against influenza. This author races to have it completed for his entire family every flu season as soon as the vaccine is available.Beyond the vaccine, there are several antiviral medications that are also helpful in combatting the flu. To be clear, the antiviral medications are second line treatment as they are less effective, more expensive, and carry more side effects. The most common antiviral medication we use in pediatrics is Tamiflu (Oseltamivir), which is the only medication approved in children under 7 years of a...
Source: A Pediatrician's Blog - Category: Pediatrics Source Type: blogs