Swine flu

Every year flu viruses attack the immune systems of millions people in Europe, Japan and the USA alone, and up to 500,000 people die each year worldwide. By changing their profile slightly every year, they make it difficult for our immune system to fight them off. In a joint project, Roche and Gilead developed Tamiflu, a drug that attacks the flu virus and is now used throughout the world for the treatment and prevention of influenza and swine flu.

What is influenza?
• Influenza usually occurs in the autumn and winter months in the Northern (October through to April)
and Southern (April to September) hemispheres and is characterised by explosive outbreaks lasting for
six to eight weeks.
• Influenza is a highly contagious viral illness, which typically occurs during the autumn and winter
months.
• Influenza is characterised by a sudden onset of debilitating clinical symptoms which affect the entire
body.
• Influenza typically affects the upper and lower respiratory tracts, the nose, sinuses, throat, lungs and the
middle ear.

About influenza

Influenza, commonly called the ‘flu’, is a serious disease and annual outbreaks and
epidemics are caused by influenza A and B viruses1. Influenza is a highly contagious viral
illness and is characterised by a sudden onset of debilitating clinical symptoms which affect
the entire body.

Usually influenza occurs seasonally in the autumn and winter months in the Northern
(October through to April) and Southern (April to September) hemispheres and is
characterised by explosive outbreaks lasting six eight weeks. Influenza can also occur
as a pandemic which can occur every 10- 40 years in which a new strain of the influenza A
virus causes simultaneous deaths worldwide.

Symptoms of influenza

There are clear differences between influenza and the common cold. Influenza affected
patients will have a sudden symptom onset and experience severe cough, headaches, muscle
aches and pains, fever/chills and fatigue/weakness. These symptoms are a direct
consequence of viral replication and are different to the symptoms associated with the
common cold. Influenza typically affects the upper and lower respiratory tracts, the nose,
sinuses, throat, lungs and middle ear. The acute respiratory symptoms associated with
influenza can last for five to seven days, whilst fatigue and weakness can persist for up to
two to three weeks.

How can Tamiflu affect other medicines?

The manufacturer of this medicine states that it should be used with caution in people who are taking the following medicines, as oseltamivir may possibly reduce the removal of these medicines from the body by the kidneys:

chlorpropamide

methotrexate

phenylbutazone.

Oseltamivir can be safely taken at the same time as paracetamol or aspirin.

It is unlikely that this medicine will interact with other medicines, however you should tell your doctor or pharmacist what medicines you are using, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start treatment with this medicine. Likewise, check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting any new medicines while you are using this medicine, so they can check that the combination is safe.