Children should not be given the anti-viral drug Tamiflu for swine flu because its harms outweigh any benefits, Oxford researchers have said.
They called on the Department of Health to have an urgent rethink of its current policy in the swine flu pandemic. Their study found that Tamiflu caused vomiting in some children, which can lead to dehydration and complications.
And the drug had little or no effect on asthma flare-ups, ear infections or the likelihood of a youngster needing antibiotics.
"The downside of the harms outweigh the one-day reduction in symptomatic benefits."
Read the full story
www.swineflubritain.co.uk
Monday, 10 August 2009
Friday, 7 August 2009
Swine Flu Cases Slowing
The latest BBC report suggests the rate of swine flu cases is falling sharply. Last week there were 30,000 reported cases compared to 110,000 the week before and 100,000 3 weeks ago.
The UK death toll stands at 40, with just over 500 people been admitted to hospital last week, down from nearly 800 the week before.
Experts are studying trends in swine flu hit countries around the world to help determine how the virus will next react. It’s predicted that there will be a surge in the number of cases through out the winter months. The increase in cases is likely to occur a few weeks after schools return from their summer break.
The department of health claim 3 quarters of the population are not worried about the swine flu pandemic. This ties in with what our online poll is saying though there has been a slight increase over the past few days
http://www.swineflubritain.co.uk/
The UK death toll stands at 40, with just over 500 people been admitted to hospital last week, down from nearly 800 the week before.
Experts are studying trends in swine flu hit countries around the world to help determine how the virus will next react. It’s predicted that there will be a surge in the number of cases through out the winter months. The increase in cases is likely to occur a few weeks after schools return from their summer break.
The department of health claim 3 quarters of the population are not worried about the swine flu pandemic. This ties in with what our online poll is saying though there has been a slight increase over the past few days
http://www.swineflubritain.co.uk/
Wednesday, 5 August 2009
Swine Flu – The Latest Figures
Over the past 7 days a number of new figures have been released. In the UK the number of reported swine flu cases has slowed, increasing by just 10% to 110,000. While a 150,000 doses of anti viral treatment were given out.
Around the world reports of a new strain of swine flu resistant to anti viral treatment have been cropping up. The new strain which is resistant to anti-viral drugs has now been reported in Mexico, America, Canada, Denmark, Hong Kong and Japan.
This comes after the world health organisation released figures that showed 300 out of the 338 people who died last week were Americans.
The virus continues spread around the globe with 168 countries now reporting cases and 1154 deaths confirmed.
http://www.swineflubritain.co.uk
Around the world reports of a new strain of swine flu resistant to anti viral treatment have been cropping up. The new strain which is resistant to anti-viral drugs has now been reported in Mexico, America, Canada, Denmark, Hong Kong and Japan.
This comes after the world health organisation released figures that showed 300 out of the 338 people who died last week were Americans.
The virus continues spread around the globe with 168 countries now reporting cases and 1154 deaths confirmed.
http://www.swineflubritain.co.uk
Monday, 3 August 2009
Counterfeit Tamiflu
The antiviral drug ‘Tamiflu’ is a known counterfeited drug. In 2007 the UK seized half a million pounds worth of fake tamiflu and identified 18 online websites selling the drug. A major manufacturing operation was broke with 400kg of fake tamiflu confiscated, and 46 tons of raw material, though it was estimated 400kg had already been sold over the internet.
A channel 4 documentary highlighted just how easy counterfeit prescription drugs were finding their way into Britain and on occasion into main stream chemists. Many of the drugs looked identical to the originals and in some cases had been produced using industrial chemicals.
As fear over the wide spread swine flu pandemic increase there is a risk that the counterfeiters will try to take advantage of the situation. The public are advised not to purchase tamiflu online or through unregulated markets.
Identifying fake tamiflu…
• Tamiflu comes in a white cardboard box with the wording “Tamiflu® Oseltamivir 75mg” written clearly on the front with a green hexagon and the Roche logo. The right hand flap of the pack has an expiry date, batch number and, depending on the country, a manufactured date embossed into the pack. In addition the side of the pack has a distinctive logo.
• The box contains a single blister package containing 10 Tamiflu capsules, which are a distinct yellow and light grey colour. Each blister contains one capsule which can be seen through the transparent outer layer:
• Each blister is printed on the aluminium foil of the reverse side with Roche and the Roche hexagon, and the words “Tamiflu Oseltamivir 75mg”:
• The batch number and expiry date (in some countries also the manufacturing date) on the outside packaging should match the batch number and expiry date (and in some countries the manufacturing date) on the inner packaging:
• Each Tamiflu capsule is also printed with the words “Roche 75mg”.
(http://www.roche.com/med_mbtamiflu05e.pdf)
More information at Swine Flu Britain
Sean Rushforth
A channel 4 documentary highlighted just how easy counterfeit prescription drugs were finding their way into Britain and on occasion into main stream chemists. Many of the drugs looked identical to the originals and in some cases had been produced using industrial chemicals.
As fear over the wide spread swine flu pandemic increase there is a risk that the counterfeiters will try to take advantage of the situation. The public are advised not to purchase tamiflu online or through unregulated markets.
Identifying fake tamiflu…
• Tamiflu comes in a white cardboard box with the wording “Tamiflu® Oseltamivir 75mg” written clearly on the front with a green hexagon and the Roche logo. The right hand flap of the pack has an expiry date, batch number and, depending on the country, a manufactured date embossed into the pack. In addition the side of the pack has a distinctive logo.
• The box contains a single blister package containing 10 Tamiflu capsules, which are a distinct yellow and light grey colour. Each blister contains one capsule which can be seen through the transparent outer layer:
• Each blister is printed on the aluminium foil of the reverse side with Roche and the Roche hexagon, and the words “Tamiflu Oseltamivir 75mg”:
• The batch number and expiry date (in some countries also the manufacturing date) on the outside packaging should match the batch number and expiry date (and in some countries the manufacturing date) on the inner packaging:
• Each Tamiflu capsule is also printed with the words “Roche 75mg”.
(http://www.roche.com/med_mbtamiflu05e.pdf)
More information at Swine Flu Britain
Sean Rushforth
Wednesday, 29 July 2009
Pregnant Women to take tamiflu
Health officials in the US claim pregnant women should start antiviral treatment immediately if they show signs of swine flu. The claims come after analysis showed 13% of the people who have died from swine flu are pregnant women who had not been treated with antiviral drugs.
Even though the antiviral drug tamiflu is not recommended for pregnant women as effects on the unborn child are unknown experts say the risk of not taking the medication out ways the risk of unknown effects.
Throughout the pandemic pregnant women have been placed in the high risk category and are advised to seek medical advice from their local GP if they show signs of the wide spread virus.
Keep up to date with the latest swine flu developments, breaking news and advice from the NHS at:
http://www.swineflubritain.co.uk/
Swine Flu
Even though the antiviral drug tamiflu is not recommended for pregnant women as effects on the unborn child are unknown experts say the risk of not taking the medication out ways the risk of unknown effects.
Throughout the pandemic pregnant women have been placed in the high risk category and are advised to seek medical advice from their local GP if they show signs of the wide spread virus.
Keep up to date with the latest swine flu developments, breaking news and advice from the NHS at:
http://www.swineflubritain.co.uk/
Swine Flu
Tuesday, 28 July 2009
Swine Flu in the UK
The swine flu pandemic is spreading rapidly around the globe, the UK is the worst hit country outside Mexico and America with over 100,000 reported cases and 31 deaths.
Last week the government launched a national flu pandemic service offering self diagnosis over the internet or via a swine flu help line. When the service went live it was receiving 2,600 hits a second, 5500 doses of antiviral treatment were given out in the first day.
Experts are predicting 1 in 3 could contract the virus in the UK equivalent to 18 million people, with a possible death toll of 65,000 over the winter months.
You can keep up to date with the latest developments, breaking news and advice from the NHS at www.SwineFluBritain.co.uk
Swine Flu Britain
Last week the government launched a national flu pandemic service offering self diagnosis over the internet or via a swine flu help line. When the service went live it was receiving 2,600 hits a second, 5500 doses of antiviral treatment were given out in the first day.
Experts are predicting 1 in 3 could contract the virus in the UK equivalent to 18 million people, with a possible death toll of 65,000 over the winter months.
You can keep up to date with the latest developments, breaking news and advice from the NHS at www.SwineFluBritain.co.uk
Swine Flu Britain
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