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In short - yes, but some explanation is warranted.
In the way the question is worded, the asker is either currently on tamiflu, or has taken tamiflu in the past but is no longer currently taking it. If the asker has taken tamiflu in the past but is not currently taking it, it won't serve to prevent them from becoming infected with the novel h1n1 (or any other flu virus they haven't established immunity to.
Antivirals function somewhat similarly to antibiotics - they acts to inhibit the pathogen from successfully completing its reproductive life-cycle. The difference with oseltamivir and zanamivir (aka Tamiflu and Relenza) is that they bind specifically to the active sites in certain types of flu virus. Neither one will act as any sort of 'immunization' to prevent future infections. It simply limits the virus from making more of itself once you have contracted it.
If one is currently taking the drug, it may prevent contraction from becoming a full-blown infection, or limit the severity, but it won't cause the body to recognize the virus any faster, it just gives the immune system more time to respond.
In one recent study published in Japan (where Tamiflu is widely used), they did have at least one case of H1N1 flu in someone who was taking the drug as a prophylactic (preventative) measure. However, they note that those taking Tamiflu in close contact with confirmed cases of the flu did not develop severe illnesss.
Here is a link to a pdf of the study for further reading:
http://www.eurosurveillance.org/images/dynamic/EE/V14N35/art19320.pdf
Regards,
Perry Arellano-Jones
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoTamiflu works to help reduce symptoms or prevent getting the flu only for a short time period while the drug is being taken. It does not provide any long term protection from future exposure, so even though you have taken Tamiflu in the past, you could still catch A-H1N1/09 after the Tamiflu has worn off. The only way to have true immunity/full long term protection from the flu is by getting vaccinated or from having had the flu.
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If you get a swine flu shot will the swine flu disappear in a week?
The swine flu shot is used to prevent the flu, not to treat the flu if you already have it. To treat the flu, antiviral medications are more likely to be prescribed, such as Tamiflu.
Is the Swine Flu the same as the tami flu?
Swine flu is a flu very similar to the regular flu. Tamiflu is a medicine that you take when you have swine flu or other types of influenza.
What are the tablets called that you take to prevent swine flu?
Tamiflu or you could get a vaccine
What do you do after you are diagnosed with Swine Flu?
take tamiflu for 5 days then you should feel fine
What is Tami flu and doodoo?
Tamiflu is a prescription medication used to treat the influenza, or flu, virus. It can shorten the duration of the flu if taken as soon as symptoms start. doodoo is an alternative word for poop
Can you take NyQuil with Tami flu?
Yes there is no problem. Tamiflu is an antiviral. It does not take care of any of your flu symptoms. So you need something like Nyquil to take care of those!
What is Tamiflu is drug against which diseases?
Flu.
What medicine you need to take to avoid a H1N1 virus?
Tamiflu, but in Denmark swine flu has shown resistance to this.
Does it mean you had H1N1 if you were prescribed Tamiflu?
Tamiflu can be prescribed for any viral infection, not just the flu and not just H1N1/09 swine flu. So without lab testing there is no way to know for sure what type of flu you might have had. It won't hurt to get a flu shot even if you had that type of flu. The H1N1/09 vaccine is included in the seasonal flu vaccines for the 2011-2012 flu season. You should get the seasonal flu vaccination to be protected from the three most prominent types of flu that are expected to be in the Northern Hemisphere during this flu season.
Can Tamiflu give you the flu?
No. This treatment for the flu contains no ingredients that can give you the flu or any other infectious disease.
Should you be on Tamiflu if your child has H1N1?
No. Tamiflu is only for those with the Swine Flu. Taking it as a preventative could cause mutation of the virus....making it immune to Tamiflu. If you start to have flu-like symptoms, I recommend you go see your physician.
Is there anything that fights off the flu besides flu shots?
There is a drug called Tamiflu that is an anti-viral drug that is used to help your immune system fight the flu. Flu vaccinations prevent the flu but they do not fight the flu if you already have it. The vaccines can be administered either by injection as a flu shot or can be given by intra-nasal route with a nasal spray preparation.
