MONDAY, March 2, 2009 (Health.com) — The antiviral drug oseltamivir (Tamiflu) is virtually useless for treating the most common strain of the influenza virus circulating this flu season, according to reports released Monday.
So far this flu season, 98.8% of the influenza A (H1N1) virus samples tested by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are Tamiflu-resistant, up from 12.3% last year. The resistant strain is just as easily spread—and just as deadly—as other strains of the flu virus, according to new research in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
The findings shouldn’t cause panic, experts agree, because there are still drugs effective against Tamiflu-resistant influenza A (H1N1). “Doctors still have weapons against influenza,” said Anne Moscona, MD, of Weill-Cornell Medical College in New York City, who was not involved in the research. “It’s become a little more complicated, and doctors need to take a little more information into account.”
But the findings are a “warning call” underscoring the importance of prevention strategies, Dr. Moscona says, especially the need to get flu shots. “Our bottom line always is to get vaccinated for influenza and this just points to another reason why vaccination is so important,” says Nila J. Dharan, MD, of the CDC in Atlanta, the author of one of the studies. “The influenza vaccine really is our best line of defense.”
The CDC first warned about Tamiflu resistance in December 2008, recommending that nearly everyone with the flu get zanamivir (Relenza) instead. Children under 5 and people who are unable to take inhaled medications should get a combination of Tamiflu and rimantidine (Flumadine), according to the CDC.
Next page: Flu viruses are already resistant to two older drugs
Comments (8)
Interesting article but misses an important point: the rise of antibiotic/antiviral resistant flu parallels the widespread practice of feeding poultry/birds antibiotic treated feed…most new strains of flu originate in birds.
I had influenza strain A this year, that was resistant to Tamiflu. I made it to the doctor within the required 24 period to start antivirals. Problem is NOT ONE pharmacy in my area(large urban area) stocked the Rilenza drug. All said they could get it in within 3 days, but that would have been too late. Maybe someone at the CDC should have informed pharmacies of the new information released in Dec 2008. Might have helped me and others.
It startles me to realize that people don’t pay attention. In history we learn that the flu virus has killed more people than many wars. And in biology we learn that virus’ are prone to mutation. Just as in bacteria this high mutation rate leads to drug resitance. Why does the high mortality rates and increasing drug resistance suprise us? Because somebody didnt pay attention in high school.
With the continued over immunization of the populace for everything under the sun we are basically screwing with the bodies natural ability to fight off disease. The human immune system is an amazing thing and here the human race is running around and leading people to think that we all need to get every new immunization that they come up with regardless of how dangerous the sickness it treast. For the most part there aren’t that many diseases that should be immunized for and in the case of flu only small portions of the population actually are in need of immunization.
Last week I took a flight to New York and the person I was going to see did not even show up. I came home then last week with a terrible flu, I think that it was that. I took bottles of cough medicine, and still have a cough. It was awful.
I had chills and sweats, and could not get any relief.
Marilyn Bloch
Maybe if they stopped recommending “nearly everyone with the flu” get antivirals, the incidence of resistant strains would be less frequent. Any smart doctor would recommend only the immune-compromised, elderly and children receive antivirals–the rest of us can deal with it and stay home for a couple of days.
Dominic: “the rise of antibiotic/antiviral resistant flu parallels the widespread practice of feeding poultry/birds antibiotic treated feed” -antibiotics have absolutely nothing to do with the flu which is caused by a virus. Antibiotics have nothing to do with a virus. They are unrelated. *Corinna: “Maybe someone at the CDC should have informed pharmacies of the new information released in Dec 2008.” -They did. That’s why they were sold out. *Jason: “Why does the high mortality rates and increasing drug resistance suprise us? Because somebody didnt pay attention in high school.” -It doesn’t surprise anyone. It says so in the article. *Jayson: “For the most part there aren’t that many diseases that should be immunized for and in the case of flu only small portions of the population actually are in need of immunization.” -Totally false. There are many diseases that should be “immunized” for and the more people that get the flu vaccine the less the disease spreads. That is how we stop epidemics that killed millions in history. *Sara: “Any smart doctor would recommend only the immune-compromised, elderly and children receive antivirals–the rest of us can deal with it and stay home for a couple of days.” -Why aren’t you teaching in medical school? And getting sick from the flu lasts longer than a couple a days.
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