Health articles

Tamiflu, Does It Help?

Tamiflu, scientifically termed as oseltamivir, is a very well known medicine against flu. Such flu fighting medicines are known as neuraminidase inhibitors. Both the influenza infection caused by the influenza virus A and influenza virus B are treated by using Tamiflu. One cannot buy Tamiflu medicine without a prescription.  Tamiflu is often used to prevent the flu virus and sometimes to even treat flu if taken immediately after the symptoms start to show.

Generally, people consider Tamiflu as the vaccine, but there is a big difference between Tamiflu and the flu vaccine. Tamiflu helps boost up your immune system and helps it fight against any viral infection; on the other hand, a flu vaccine is just an injection of dead influenza, which helps your immune system to generate the antibodies to fight off the infectious virus.


Tamiflu has gained recognition with the arrival of bird flu. It came into limelight for its use to treat the dreadful disease bird flu. This medicine attacks the infectious virus in the body and prevents it from spreading. One can and also should consume this drug if one in touch with patients who are afflicted from this influenza viral attack. Adults and children who are above the age bracket of thirteen can consume Tamiflu as a precautionary measure. For children below the age limit of thirteen the medicine is prescribed only in case of flu or the when the influenza virus affects the child. If there is an epidemic of viral flu influenza in your area then you must take this drug as a precautionary measure.


Some possible side effects of Tamiflu

The medicine Tamiflu is to be consumed in appropriate dosages as suggested by your doctor. Similar to any other drug, the excessive dosage of Tamiflu may affect you in any of the subsequent ways—
You may have a severe allergic effect. The allergic effect may cause difficulties in breathing. Either a swelling of your lips, swelling of the tongue, or you may feel congestion in the throat. In some case, there may be a swelling on your face. If any of these allergic reactions takes place you must stop your medicine and seek medical attention at once.

There may be some common and less stern side effects too. These normal side effects include: dizziness, vomiting, nausea, sleeplessness, and fatigue.
You could also have a severe case of diarrhea, have abdominal pains, or cramps in your abdomen.