More Reports of Flu Drug Resistance

More flu viruses develop resistance to antiviral drugs

That news, from a study published online this week in the Journal of Infectious Diseases, underscores our reservations about inappropriate use of antiviral flu drugs. The researchers said that almost all of the strains of the H1N1 (swine) flu virus they looked at showed at least some resistance to the drugs oseltamivir (Tamiflu), though all still responded to the related medication zanamivir (Relenza). Previous research suggests that some other flu strains might also be developing resistance to those and other antiviral drugs.

Read the complete report here

Canadian Judge Rules Against Vaccine Mandate
Vaccinations aren’t “essential” medical treatments, a family court judge has ruled in refusing a Child Welfare request to order inoculations for four kids.
Judge Stephen Lipton, in a written decision released Thursday, said while the vaccinations are preferable, it wasn’t in his power to order them.
Child Welfare had applied for a ruling to have the siblings immunized despite their parents’ decision not to allow the treatment.
But Lipton said the four children, ranging in age from one to 12, weren’t at any present risk so no court intervention was warranted.
“I find that on the facts of this case the vaccinations proposed by the caseworker don’t fall within the definition of ‘essential’ (in the legislation),” Lipton said. “The children are healthy and none of them are at imminent risk of serious harm.”
Lipton noted the dangers of not getting immunized would expose the children to the risk of contracting illnesses which could cause brain injury or death.
The mother refused allowing vaccines for her children while the father suggested herbal medicines would be effective. Kevin Martin

Selections from Natural Health News

Natural Health News: Vitamin C or Tamiflu, which would you choose
Aug 08, 2009
Antiviral drugs, such as Tamiflu (oseltamivir), work by inhibiting something called neuraminidase, produced by viruses and essential for their ability to replicate. So too does vitamin C according to recent research. ...
Natural Health News: FLU VACCINE (Tamiflu) KILLS TWO TEENS
Nov 13, 2005
TOKYO - Two teenage boys who took the antiviral drug Tamiflu exhibited abnormal behavior that led to their deaths, with one jumping in front of an oncoming truck last year and the other falling from the ninth floor of a building earlier ...
Natural Health News: WARNING: Tamiflu and Relenza Hazards Reported
Nov 23, 2007
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Food and Drug Administration staffers are recommending new warnings about psychiatric events observed in some patients taking Roche Holding AG's Tamiflu and GlaxoSmithKline Plc's Relenza, according to ...
Natural Health News: Tamiflu dangers reported
Nov 29, 2006
"Health Canada has requested that the manufacturer ... update the Canadian prescribing information for Tamiflu to include this new information," the department said in a statement. According to Health Canada, there have been 84 reports ...

Posted in: drug resistance,flu,Relenza,Tamiflu