Should we give more Tamiflu for influenza? A look at the evidence.

As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that people who received this season’s influenza vaccine were only 23 percent less likely to be diagnosed with influenza than unvaccinated persons, CDC director Tom Frieden was publicly urging high-risk patients and their physicians to use antiviral medications to prevent complications and disease transmission: People who are sick with flu, if they’re very sick in the hospital or if they have underlying, chronic medical conditions, like asthma, diabetes, heart disease, women who are pregnant, children under two and people over the age of 65 – all of these people, if they get flu, should get treated with antiviral drugs. The evidence indicates that it will shorten how long you’re sick, might keep you out of the hospital and could even save your life. … There is some evidence that suggests that taking antiviral medications may reduce the risk that you’ll spread the disease to others in your family so it may be helpful for others as well as for yourself. Continue reading ... Your patients are rating you online: How to respond. Manage your online reputation: A social media guide. Find out how.
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - Category: Journals (General) Authors: Tags: Meds Infectious disease Medications Source Type: blogs