A 36-year-old member asked:
Could tamiflu (oseltamivir) work for bird flu?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Douglas Arenberganswered
Pulmonary Critical Care 33 years experience
Probably: Tamiflu (oseltamivir) works by stopping the virus from detaching from the host cell in your lung. This stops the virus spreading though the body, and the"bird flu" virus uses a similar mechanism, which appears to be inhibited to similar degree by the drug.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A Verified Doctoranswered
45 years experience
Possibly: Unfortunately many strains of avian influenza are resistant to tamiflu (oseltamivir). Nonetheless, it is routinely used if it can be started within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms. After that it is useless as the virus has already replicated too much.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated Jan 13, 2013
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