Zanamivir (Relenza) does not cure swine flu but helps decrease the intensity and durations of swine flu symptoms. Relenza is only effective if taken within the first 48 hours after the onset of symptoms. The majority of people never see a physician in this time period and so never benefit.
Zanamir is not recommended to prevent swine flu because it protection is very short lived. To prevent flu, it must be taken for 10 days. The drug is a powder which is inhaled though a device known as a Diskhaler.
Only individuals who are at very high risk of complications from swine flu should take this drug as a preventive aid. Anti viral drugs are not the best way to prevent swine flu. The only way to prevent swine flu is with the vaccine
Continued used of Relenza can result in drug resistance and side effects. Plus, Relenza is expensive. One of the annoying side effects of Relenza is diarrhea.
Since Relenza can stop the virus from multiplying, it is best used for acute cases. Moreover, there are minimal data on the effectiveness of Relenza on the swine flu virus. Not everyone responds to the drug. At best, Relenza can reduce your chance of acquiring swine flu by 50-70 percent if it is taken for 10 days.
How long this protection lasts remains unknown
Showing posts with label common cold. Show all posts
Showing posts with label common cold. Show all posts
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Friday, July 31, 2009
Can Garlic prevent the Common Cold? Part 1
One of the most popular health supplements that has often been hyped up to treat almost every medical disorder under the sun is garlic. For decades, garlic has been sold by health food stores in every type of formulation. There are pills, tablets, lotions, liquids, potions, pastes, and even creams containing garlic. Garlic mania has hit North America and is getting stronger every day. For decades, one medical disorder which garlic has been most frequently used to treat is the common cold.
The common cold is associated with a high rate of morbidity and is one of the most common reasons why people take off from work during winter months. On average, children have at least 4-6 cold a year and some adults have at least 2-4 colds a year. Many individuals take garlic based on the belief that it has good anti bacterial and anti viral properties.
Consumers spend an enormous amount of money on health supplements, many of which have no relevant clinical data to back up the claims made by the vendors. Therefore, the question is, “Can garlic supplements prevent or treat the common cold?”
Recently, Cochrane Reviews conducted analysis of the literature to determine whether garlic (allium sativum) was effective for either prevention or treatment of the common cold, when compared to placebo or no treatment. From the literature, only one randomized trial study comprising 146 participants was evaluated since it met the criteria. Individual took 180 mg of allicin garlic for 12 weeks and self reported their symptoms.
The common cold is associated with a high rate of morbidity and is one of the most common reasons why people take off from work during winter months. On average, children have at least 4-6 cold a year and some adults have at least 2-4 colds a year. Many individuals take garlic based on the belief that it has good anti bacterial and anti viral properties.
Consumers spend an enormous amount of money on health supplements, many of which have no relevant clinical data to back up the claims made by the vendors. Therefore, the question is, “Can garlic supplements prevent or treat the common cold?”
Recently, Cochrane Reviews conducted analysis of the literature to determine whether garlic (allium sativum) was effective for either prevention or treatment of the common cold, when compared to placebo or no treatment. From the literature, only one randomized trial study comprising 146 participants was evaluated since it met the criteria. Individual took 180 mg of allicin garlic for 12 weeks and self reported their symptoms.
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