Thursday 27 August 2009

Tamilflu cannot be taken after 48 hours

Refer to the instruction sheet that I scanned and posted at my blog:
othmanahmad.blogspot.com

It is clearly stated that Tamilflu:
"Treatment should commence as soon as possible but no later than forty-
eight hours after the onset of the initial symptoms of infection."

When the symptoms start is not clear.

My sons, all start with watery nose but no fever. On the first day,
they all start with mild fever, 37.2 degree C, but in 8 hours, their
temperatures will rise to 38 degree C. A doctor's comment that it
immediately got to 38 degree C does not make sense but she vehemently
made that statement because she had the confirmed Swine Flu.

I should call the onset of fever as the start of the symptom.

On the second day, almost 48 hours, my 13-year old son, had developed
heavy coughing but only once but he felt his inner throat itchy. A
doctor later confirmed that there is mucus inside his lung.

After taking Tamilflu, it took him a few hours to get fully well.

My 11-year old son took the Tamilflu within one day after arguing with
the doctor that we cannot wait for the second day in view of what had
happened to his elder brother. Luckily he agreed.

He developed slight fever, 37.2 degree C, at 4 am yesterday. By 10 am,
at Putatan Government Clinic, his temperature was only 37.6. That was
where the doctor stated that the fever should be 38 degree but I agree
with her. I was hoping that he only got tonsil as a previous doctor
had confirmed that his tonsil was swollen and he was given Augmentin
antibiotic.

By 4 PM, his temperature had gone up to 38 degree so after breaking
fast, I went to SMC to request for Tamilflu which I got.

After taking Tamilflu, within half an hour, his temperature dropped to
normal.

Now I don't understand the research result that stated that Tamilflu
only slowed down symptoms by 1.5 days for healthy individuals
suffering from normal flu. The evidences of my son proved them
completely wrong, or is it the way the data were interpreted but if
that were the case, the intention is not sincere.

Tamillfu is to save lives, but to put it on display for any emergency
that will never come or useless to be used because it is too late or
not strong enough to stop death such as in individuals suffering from
acute diseases.

WHO or any doctor or authority who ordered to delay the prescribing of
Tamilflu beyond 48 hours is responsible to all deaths that may occur,
unless they are obviously not healthy to begin with. People should sue
them for damages as had been done in New York and probably in Pune.

The case in New York is not clear because the patient suffer from high
blood pressure and therefore are taking additional drugs but my
brother who suffer from high blood pressure insist that high blood
pressure is not in the list of risky individuals.

But cases in Pune is ignorance but in Lancaster is just utter
irresponsible but in line with WHO guideline. So WHO and British
health authority can be sued for gross negligence knowing full well
that 50% of those who are admitted to hospital wards and 20% of the
deaths are those without any underlying diseases, while Tamilflu is
extremely effective against Swine Flu and especially so for healthy
individuals as proven by my children.

It is not as effective in cases where the patients have underlying
diseases and especially when taken after 48 hours. It is just a waste
of resources and a potential emergence of Tamilflu-resistant Swine
Flu.

Although doctors can quote rumours that Tamilflu can be effective
after 48 hours, it is just rumours and unsubstantiated, and can be
explained to just random occurrence, or "luck". There is no reason for
the manufacturer to lie about the effectiveness of Tamilflu. It could
easily claim that it can be effective even afer 48 hours but in this
particular case, it is very strange indeed that it strongly states
that it is not to be taken after 48 hours. I have never come across
any drug company advertising this limitation openly.

By common sense, most drugs are no longer effective after a certain
days on the onset of symptoms, but the reduction in effectiveness may
be low enough that the drugs may still function as advertised, but in
the case of Tamilflu, it is completely forbidden.

In light of this information, WHO or other doctors should read this
instruction sheet, if they have not done so, and obey its instructions
to the letter. There is no excuse not to read them because Tamilflu is
easily available now and all come with the instruction sheet. If you
still haven't seen it, you can always read it in my blog at
othmanahmad.blogspot.com

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