Posted on 09/30/2005 9:26:51 AM PDT by Rutles4Ever
Experts in Hong Kong said on Friday that the human H5N1 strain which surfaced in northern Vietnam this year had proved to be resistant to Tamiflu, a powerful antiviral drug which goes by the generic name, oseltamivir.
They urged drug manufacturers to make more effective versions of Relenza, another antiviral that is also known to be effective in battling the much feared H5N1. Relenza is inhaled.
"There are now resistant H5N1 strains appearing, and we can't totally rely on one drug (Tamiflu)," William Chui, honorary associate professor with the department of pharmacology at the Queen Mary Hospital in Hong Kong, told Reuters.
Chui was referring to the Tamiflu-resistant strain of H5N1 in Vietnam. Chui also said general viral resistance to Tamiflu was growing in Japan, where doctors habitually prescribe the drug to fight the common influenza.
"Manufacturers should think about producing an injectable form of Relenza because resistance to Tamiflu has been seen in Japan and Vietnam. Also with injections, high doses can be given where necessary and onset time is a lot faster," Chui said.
Drugs that are administered intravenously can be better absorbed in patients who have stomach and acidity problems, another expert said.
"We don't have to worry about absorption, injections take drugs right in. But if the patient takes them orally, maybe some amounts won't be absorbed or some may be destroyed by stomach acids," said pharmacist Raymond Mak at Queen Mary Hospital.
In places such as China, drug resistance exceeded 70 percent, suggesting that drugs like amantadine and rimantadine will probably no longer be effective for treatment or as a preventive in a pandemic outbreak of flu, the reports said.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
Like the man said, 'you can lead a horse (mule) to water but cannot force him to drink'.
"Evolution In Action."? Your attitude is very similar to the Missing Link. LOL
You should find this thread of interest.
By golly you're right! It's the government's job to protect us. We have no responsibility for our own well being, we're just victims.
One way or the other.
I understand your comments, I just don't see their relevance.
SO9
While I do not dispute the finding the Thamiflu (R) is not effective for the Asian Bird Flu, H5N1, the article tries to link this fact to the the gerneral resitance of Thamiflu built up in the regual flu. The two are completely independent. The bird flu "in the human population" has not had a chance to build up a "resistance" to the drug."
What the scientist was talking about was just a pure ineffectiveness of Thamiflu on bird flu - not resistance. And the journalist screwed up the article. As for finding that Thamiflu is ineffective, it would not be suprizing, since Thamiflu only reduces the duration of the symptoms of the regular flu by only one day, and it has to be taken within 40 of onset of symptoms just for tat small beenfit. BTW 40 hrs is way too late for H1N5. its too fast for Thanmiflu IMO. To my knowledge, there has previously been no data on Thamiflu on H1N5, so people were just hyping the issue up that this drug would save everyone. I suspect this is the REAL, SCIENTIFICALLY BASED REASON, why the US govt. did not stock up on 200 million courses. Of course, people are lightning fast to slam the administration to say they were off the ball on this issue.
Desirously, you should investigate why so many medical experts are concerned about the potential mutation and spread of Avian Flu this coming winter. It never hurts to be prepared.
('Desirously')(?)lol... a backward upside version of 'seriously' The late hour is taking a toll on English.
Desirously, you should investigate why so many medical experts are concerned about the potential mutation and spread of Avian Flu this coming winter. It never hurts to be prepared.
I gather they view a lot of people dying as a bad thing, or at least as something they have to claim publicly they think is a bad thing.
I don't have to do tht.
I can tell the truth, less people is a good thing, however we get there.
So9
Birds ping
Is that still applicable if you were among those to contract Bird Flu and kick the bucket?
Is that still applicable if you were among those to contract Bird Flu and kick the bucket?
Yep.
So9
You can't be serious.
Servant of the 9 said in part, "Actually, the world has way more than 150 million people to spare.
In fact, the US has more than 150 million people to spare.
Actually, this could be a good thing.
So9"
===
===
How can this be "a good thing?"
Are you opposed to our military?
-We should isolate the area, no flghts or people can come visit us here.-
But of course anyone coming in from Mexico would only be looking for work (ahem), so they'd be OK.
Oh, but I am.
So9
You take staying alive way too seriously.
You're way too self important.
If there is an afterlife, then dying is no big deal.
If there is no afterlife, then you'll never know it happened.
So9
There are too many people.
An extra 150 million die.
There are no longer quite so many surplus people.
QED
SO9
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