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H1N1 Situation Update, September 15, 2009

Tue Sep 15 14:06:00 CDT 2009

This week I want to talk about Tamiflu, an antiviral medication prescribed for persons with influenza. This medication is effective for almost all types of flu, including H1N1. It does not cure the flu, but it does shorten the length of illness by about a day and makes the illness not as severe. However, it is important to know that in order for Tamiflu to be effective, it must be started within the first 48 hours of having symptoms. Because widespread use of Tamiflu may contribute to the virus becoming resistant to the medication, new guidelines for who should and should not take Tamiflu are now available-- see http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/recommendations.htm.

Who needs Tamiflu?  The Centers for Disease Control recommends only those persons with suspected or confirmed influenza and who are at high risk of complications or who require hospitalization be prescribed Tamiflu. Individuals at higher risk of complications from H1N1 include pregnant women, children younger than 5 years old, adults 65 years and older, persons with certain chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, morbid obesity, heart disease) or immunosuppressive conditions (receiving chemotherapy, organ transplant, HIV/AIDS), and persons younger than 19 years of age who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy. You need to take all of your medication (10 days’ worth) to receive the benefits. If you stop taking your Tamiflu, you lose all the protective benefits.

Health care workers, public health workers or first responders with direct exposure to H1N1 may also be prescribed Tamiflu. They may also choose to wait and see if they develop symptoms of flu before taking Tamiflu.

Who does not need Tamiflu?  Healthy children or adults who have been exposed to H1N1 do not need to take Tamiflu, even if they have been exposed at school or work. If more than 48 hours have passed since you were exposed, then Tamiflu is not for you. You do not need Tamiflu if you had contact with the sick person before they became sick or after they are well.

Am I still contagious while taking Tamiflu?  The answer is yes. You will continue to shed the virus (spread it) up to four or more days after starting the medication. So you will still need to use good handwashing and cough etiquette, and stay home until you no longer have a fever for 24 hours without taking medicine to reduce your fever.

Does Tamiflu have side effects?  Tamiflu is generally well tolerated. The most common side effects are nausea and vomiting. If you develop an allergic reaction or rash, you should stop taking Tamiflu and contact your health care provider. Confusion, with the potential for self-injury, has been documented in children and adolescents. If you have kidney disease, you should let your health care provider know before you begin the medication.

How much does Tamiflu cost?  The price varies depending on whether you require the name brand Tamiflu or if you purchase a generic Tamiflu. If you do not have insurance, the price ranges from $80 - $180. If you have prescription drug coverage, your usual co-pay will be in effect.

If you have H1N1, or someone you know on campus has H1N1, please use our on-line reporting system to tell us. Here is the link: ASU-H1N1 Flu Prevention and Reporting.  This helps us know who needs assistance as well as helping us track the number of cases that exist within our campus community.  There are many links on our H1N1 site that provide you with vital information. Most of the answers to questions you may have can be found at those links. Should you need more information, please contact the Student Health Center, the Department of Student Affairs (870) 972-3355, or me (dpersell@astate.edu, at 870-972-3074).

Dr. Deborah Persell, the author of this H1N1 update, is an associate professor of Nursing in ASU's College of Nursing and Health Professions, coordinator of the Regional Center for Disaster Preparedness Education, and an expert in Emergency Management and Homeland Security. Contact Dr. Persell (dpersell@astate.edu) at (870) 972-3074.

Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1flu/qa.htm
for questions and answers about 2009’s H1N1 flu.