But still, only 5% chance that it actually does save your life.
Doctor’s quote: It’s not really usefull and the hype around it is absolutely exaggerated.
But still, only 5% chance that it actually does save your life.
Doctor’s quote: It’s not really usefull and the hype around it is absolutely exaggerated.[/quote]
On the level of individual patients, it probably would not be especially effective in saving lives. They’ve tested it in birds and it does inhibit the H5N1 strain, but they don’t actually know if the hybrid strain that will eventually infect humans will also respond to Tamiflu. For any kind of flu, use of anti-virals needs to begin within 48 hours of any symptoms appearing to really make a difference. An anti-viral like Tamiflu could shorten presentation of symptoms by 1 to 3 days. Considering how fast individuals begin to die from H5N1 (we’re talking a matter of hours after symptoms show in some cases), Tamiflu doesn’t mean much for the people who get H5N1. The reason hopes are being placed on this drug and on an inhaled anti-viral called Relenza is that they may be effective as a speed bump for a pandemic. Slowing a pandemic down can mean millions of lives saved because the anti-virals will have bought a bit more time for an effective vaccine to be made and distributed.
[quote=“seeker4”][quote=“Cola”]For the record, the H5N1 symbols stand for
Hemagglutinin Type 5 and Neuraminidase Type 1
cdc.gov/flu/avian/gen-info/flu-viruses.htm[/quote]
Cola,
You’ve gone from “Bird flu? Bird flu? There ain’t no stinkin’ bird flu!” to providing scientific terminology about the flu.
I’m proud of you! :bravo:
Seeker4[/quote]
I’m proud of you too, for being proud of me. BRAVO 2