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Tamiflu will shorten flu by 1 day in Most good studies. In Aus Tamiflu is often prescribed. In fact, significantly over prescribed. $100+ for a box of tablets,
by robbiep 9y ago
Tamiflu will shorten flu by 1 day in Most good studies.
In Aus Tamiflu is often prescribed. In fact, significantly over prescribed. $100+ for a box of tablets, that someone needs to start taking before we even have actual PCR confirmation of flu virus? Does the benefit outweigh the costs? Probably in elderly or in situations with decreased immunity.
For the rest of people, it is probably good to go through a fever cycle once in a while. Your immune system needs something to run at, or else it can end up attacking itself, or missing cancers. The firm evidence base for this is low but my belief (as a biochemistry major and doc with heavy interest in immunology) is that if you are otherwise healthy and you get the flu, then it is probably doing ok for you. We need to stop pathologising all sickness. It’s normal to be sick sometimes, in fact it’s probably necessary for optimum function.
[0] - quick link from google as I am on mobile but well known to me in my professional capacity - http://www.center4research.org/tamiflu-not-tamiflu/ http://www.center4research.org/tamiflu-not-tamiflu/
- shrimp_emoji 9y agoOn the other hand, a lot of diseases (including lifelong, autoimmune ones) are triggered, at least in part, by infections[0]. Without ever experiencing even a common cold, it stands to reason that some cases of those diseases could be precluded. Also, for the elderly, respiratory illness should be avoided because it puts undue stress on the cardiovascular system[1]. We need to be come robots[2]! [0] https://www.labroots.com/trending/health-and-medicine/4999/autoimmune-diseases-triggered-infection-how https://www.labroots.com/trending/health-and-medicine/4999/a... [1] https://www.cbsnews.com/news/flu-tied-to-heart-attack-risk-in-elderly/ https://www.cbsnews.com/news/flu-tied-to-heart-attack-risk-i... [2] http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/12/02/00/2EF55A5500000578-3341000-According_to_the_calculator_waiters_and_waitresses_have_a_94_per-a-26_1449015200147.jpg http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/12/02/00/2EF55A550000057...
- robbiep 9y agoAnd there’s also strong evidence that infection with ie. parasites decrease lifetime autoimmune infections, and fevers have been known to send cancer into remission
- knowThySelfx 9y agoYou maybe down voted because people here want links and proofs.
- op00to 9y ago> Your immune system needs something to run at, or else it can end up attacking itself, or missing cancers. This is patently untrue.
- robbiep 9y agoWhilst this is not a clear-cut case yet, it is certainly not patently untrue, and on the balance and from my position observing evidence and with the weight of the building evidence, I have no problem giving a hat-tip to this. Observe the hygiene hypothesis as a starting point [0] DOI: 10.1126/science.296.5567.490 - Allergy, Parasites, and the Hygiene Hypothesis
- shard 9y agoMy doctor gave me a flu test recently, which involved swabbing my sinuses with a cotton swab and putting it in a plastic test kit about the size of a matchbox. Within 5 minutes she was able to tell me that I am positive for Influenzea B. What test is this that it is so much faster than the one you've mentioned?
- robbiep 9y agoI'm not aware of this test. In Aus last winter we were peforming nasal swabs but results weren't available for at least a day. i've just come across [0] which describes roughly what you're talking about. a bit further digging shows it was available at the hospital I work at according to their press releases. I assume it worked via some sort of compartmentalised ELISA which is pretty awesome. [0] https://www.nsw.gov.au/your-government/the-premier/media-releases-from-the-premier/rapid-flu-diagnosis-to-help-save-lives/ https://www.nsw.gov.au/your-government/the-premier/media-rel...