TMCnet News
Doctor: New drug-resistant flu isn't reason to be concerned(Messenger-Inquirer (Owensboro, KY) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Jan. 10--Doctors around the country have lost a useful tool in battling influenza, but it's not expected to be a devastating loss, said an Owensboro emergency physician. In the past year, the Influenza A subtype H1N1 has developed a resistance to the drug oseltamivir, better known as Tamiflu, as reported by the news service Healthday, which spoke to officials with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. Dr. Bethany Burkhart, a specialist in emergency medicine at Owensboro Medical Health System, said it's not an unusual thing for disease-causing bugs to develop resistance to drugs. "That's actually pretty good that it lasted that long without getting resistances, especially since viruses are more adept at becoming resistant than some bacteria," Burkhart said, noting that Tamiflu has been used in the United States since 1999. "Viruses mutate to try and beat the antiviral drugs. They're smarter than most people sometimes." However, this new resistance isn't a reason for panic, Burkhart said. Tamiflu is just a supportive drug. Science hasn't yet found a way to cure viruses, even ones such as the common cold, but they have found ways to slow viruses down. Tamiflu also can only be used on someone who is in the first 24 to 48 hours of having the flu. "It doesn't cure the flu. It shortens the duration of the illness and also sometimes lessens the symptoms," Burkhart said. "Yes, you've got the flu, yes, you're going to be miserable, but hopefully less miserable. It's more importantly used in populations at high risk." With the elderly, infants, diabetics and those whose immune systems are compromised, a lessening of the flu can make a huge difference, Burkhart said. "They're the ones most at risk for having bad outcomes or complications from the flu," Burkhart said. Thus far, however, the flu isn't even showing up much on the radar screens, Burkhart said. OMHS has seen one confirmed case, in December. In the meantime, Burkhart said people should just stick to the old standbys of good hygiene. Good hand washing is essential, and sharing of food utensils, drinking cups or bottles and close contact with someone who is sick are all no-nos. "Key flu season is usually from December to March," Burkhart said. "We're just starting it. It could get much worse, but at this point we're not seeing tons of it. We're seeing more of the gastrointestinal illnesses. "We've all been testing for it but we're not getting a lot of positives, so that's good for the local area." To see more of the Messenger-Inquirer, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.messenger-inquirer.com. Copyright (c) 2009, Messenger-Inquirer, Owensboro, Ky. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. |