Spooky stuff - Tamiflu was temporarily available, as was Relenza, until access to supplies was tightened up. so that government stockpiles could be created for politicians, government employees and those in the medical profession (you come last, Mr Citizen!). GPs have lately argued for greater access to flu drugs...but in the meantime it's worth noting that, like with most disease strains, viruses can develop a resistance to antibiotics. Bugger.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23702345-2702,00.html
PROMINENT mutations of bird flu are resistant to one of the main antiviral drugs Australia has stockpiled in case of an outbreak, new research reveals.
A report in Nature - an international weekly journal of science - has found common mutations of the H5N1 bird flu virus that have emerged in human influenza are resistant to the antiviral drug Tamiflu.
However, they are still "strongly inhibited" by an alternative drug Relenza.
2 comments:
"...like with most disease strains, viruses can develop a resistance to antibiotics. Bugger."
Bugger indeed, since viruses are always inherently immune to antibiotics; antibiotics are for bacteria. This sort of confusion is what drives mothers with sniffly children to the doctor for a handful of pills that aren't going to help.
Further research needs to be conducted in order to look for the most effective cure.
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