Tamiflu is effective within 48 hours of symptoms appearing and a positive test result for influenza A or influenza B. However, should parents arbitrarily give their children the drug or should they get a doctor's prescription?
Some drug stores advise replacing Tamiflu with Flustad, a drug produced in Vietnam, at a cheaper price to treat influenza A - Photo: THU HIEN
Doctor Tran Thu Nguyet - Vietnam Institute of Applied Medicine - shares some issues related to the use of Tamiflu to treat flu in children.
Tamiflu can be used for children
Dr. Nguyet said Tamiflu is an antiviral drug prescribed to treat seasonal flu. Children can also be prescribed Tamiflu to treat the flu.
Although the medicine does not completely relieve flu symptoms, it can reduce the severity of the flu, reduce the length of time your child has the flu, and limit the risk of complications.
Tamiflu was approved for use in children 2 weeks of age and older in 1999. Side effects are generally mild. Therefore, it is considered safe to use.
Tamiflu works by stopping the virus from multiplying in the body. Although antivirals are different from antibiotics, they are both prescription drugs rather than over-the-counter.
When to use Tamiflu and can it be used by itself?
Doctor Nguyet said that giving children Tamiflu must be done under a doctor's prescription. Parents should absolutely not give their children medicine on their own.
Pediatricians may prescribe Tamiflu for children with the following symptoms: fever, chills; cough; runny nose; sore throat; body aches; fatigue...
Parents should remember that doctors only prescribe Tamiflu when a child has flu symptoms and tests positive for influenza A or influenza B, and it is usually given within 48 hours of symptoms appearing.
Therefore, Tamiflu should not be used indiscriminately without a doctor's prescription.
If your child has severe flu symptoms or is at high risk for complications from the flu, your doctor may also prescribe Tamiflu at a later stage.
Disadvantages of Tamiflu for children
Dr. Nguyet shares that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) emphasizes that Tamiflu is most effective when given within 48 hours of your child developing symptoms.
So if you mistake the initial cough, fever or sneezing caused by flu for a common cold, you may have missed the ideal treatment window. So if you suspect your child has the flu, take him or her to the doctor immediately for timely diagnosis and treatment.
Tamiflu may not be effective against certain strains of flu. However, the US CDC has only identified one case of a flu virus that was resistant to Tamiflu, the 2009 H1N1 strain.
Therefore, parents should not arbitrarily use Tamiflu for children.
The main side effects associated with Tamiflu include nausea and vomiting. However, less common and very rare side effects include: hallucinations; confusion, fear; seizures; other neurological or psychiatric problems.
Can Tamiflu prevent flu?
Your pediatrician may prescribe Tamiflu for your child before symptoms begin to prevent the flu from becoming severe.
That means Tamiflu is not prescribed to prevent flu in any child, unless the child is at very high risk of severe flu.
Health experts recommend that the best way to prevent flu in children 6 months of age and older is to get a seasonal flu shot each year.
Why not use antibiotics for the flu?Source: https://tuoitre.vn/tamiflu-co-the-tri-cum-cho-tre-em-nhung-khong-duoc-tu-y-dung-20250217113940441.htm
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