Good news about Tamiflu and bird flu

The H5N1 bird flu virus is becoming more complex -- and this makes it more difficult to detect by laboratory tests.

Two recent cases in Thailand initially tested negative for avian flu in laboratories, but later were confirmed to be H5N1 infections.

The drug oseltamivir (generic name for Tamiflu) keeps the virus from replicating, and therefore it's not excreted into the portion of the respiratory tract where samples are taken from. The virus is deep in the respiratory tract.

I'm surprised this is not seen as better news than it is. Apparently Tamiflu is actually working. I still would prefer to see people boost their immune systems in healthier ways, but Tamiflu is better than dying from bird flu.

And if the virus is kept deep in the respiratory systems of the victims, that means it's that much harder for it to spread to other people.

Tamiflu causes changes in bird flu virus



What is Bird Flu

Tamiflu and Bird Flu
Tamiflu and Bird Flu