According to newspaper reports the 24 people who died this winter from swine flu could be a fraction of the true death toll, medical experts admitted yesterday. The known deaths so far include one pregnant woman and nine children. Last night it emerged that at least one of those killed by swine flu had been vaccinated against the virus.
Over the last seven days the swine flu death rate has risen by 60 per cent and doctors warn it will continue to rise over the next few weeks. In total 27 people have died from flu this winter, with 24 of these victims of swine flu, or H1N1. The others died from a different strain, known as influenza B.
But many victims die from complications such as a heart attack or pneumonia, so the virus is not recorded on their death certificate. Doctors defended the use of the vaccine, which they said was effective in between 70 and 80 per cent of cases – a relatively high success rate compared with other immunisations against flu.
For vulnerable patients at risk of Flu, NICE recommends prescribing Tamiflu for treatment.
At Risk Groups
- patients over 65 years old
- chronic respiratory disease (including asthma and COPD)
- Chronic heart disease
- Chronic renal disease
- Diabetes mellitus
- Immunosuppressed patients
- Chronic neurological conditions
- Chronic liver disease
During the 2009 H1N1A pandemic pregnant women and children under the age of 5 were identified as additional risk groups by the department of health.
Tamiflu is an oral NICE recommended antiviral medicine for treating at risk patients with flu symptoms within 48hrs when influenza is circulating in the community defined by Heath Protection Agency, or equivalent influenza surveillance, whether they are vaccinated or not.
Buy Tamiflu online from Medical Specialists online pharmacy to protect against influenza today.
References: NICE technology appraisal guidance 168, Amantadine, Oseltamivir and Zanamivir for the treatment of influenza.
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