Healthy people who catch swine flu need not be given Tamiflu, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has announced. The advice appears to contradict the UK’s policy of making the antiviral drug readily available to those who call the national pandemic helpline or approach their GPs.

Hundreds of thousands of doses have been given to British patients although the majority have not been severely ill. Fears have been voiced that mass use of Tamiflu will make the virus resistant to it.

The latest advice from the WHO said: “Worldwide, most patients infected with the pandemic virus continue to experience typical influenza symptoms and fully recover within a week, even without any form of medical treatment. Healthy patients with uncomplicated illness need not be treated with antivirals.”

Previously the WHO had said antivirals should be given to patients with “serious progressive illness”. The new guidance is the first time it has specifically advised against otherwise healthy individuals being given the drug.

The recommendation is based on the conclusion of an international panel of experts that includes representatives from the UK. The advice added that Tamiflu, also called oseltamivir, and the similar drug Relenza, also called zanamivir, should be given quickly to seriously ill or deteriorating patients.

The WHO guidance said at-risk groups should receive the drugs. “For patients with underlying medical conditions that increase the risk of more severe disease, WHO recommends treatment with either oseltamivir or zanamivir.

“These patients should also receive treatment as soon as possible after symptom onset, without waiting for the results of laboratory tests. As pregnant women are included among groups at increased risk, WHO recommends that they receive antiviral treatment as soon as possible after symptom onset.”

Source/Full Story: guardian.co.uk

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