The swine flu outbreak has led to a huge demand for drugs to treat the virus. Health officials are working to make sure there’s enough of a supply.
Pharmacies in our area are noticing a sharp increase in demand for both Tamiflu and Relenza, but experts caution the drugs are only to be taken if you are truly ill, not as precaution.
The CDC is releasing 11 million doses of the stockpiled, anti-viral drug Tamiflu to areas reporting swine flu, and so far, pharmacists in New York City are reporting a run on the drug, which requires a doctor’s prescription.
But the CDC fears that doctors giving it to patients who don’t really need it may cause shortages for those who are sick. Ariana Drauch, a swine flu victim from St. Francis Preparatory School in Queens says her family can’t find it anywhere:
“He called every drug store in Queens and there is no Tamiflu available anywhere,” said Ariana Drauch.
Branches of Rite-Aid, CVS and Duane Reade on the West Side of Manhattan all say they’ve sold out of the drugs, or are running out of supply. Both Tamiflu and Relenza need to be administered within 48 hours of onset of the virus to be effective.
Surgical face masks, latex gloves, anti-bacterial soaps and hand sanitizers are hot items in some stores. Marketers are out in force, particularly on the internet, with items ranging from face masks to the anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal oregano oil.
Cases of swine flu were confirmed Tuesday in at least two more countries as global health officials warned that travel restrictions and warnings were doing nothing to stop its advance.
The World Health Organization said it could be days before scientists are even able to reliably determine how big a threat the new virus poses.
Officials in New Zealand and Israel confirmed a handful of cases, and said other people were still suspected of infection with the H1N1 virus, which is suspected of killing 152 people in Mexico.
The number of confirmed infections in the United States almost doubled Monday to 42 as the Obama administration said it was responding aggressively, as if the outbreak would spread into a full pandemic.
(Source: Associated Press)
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4 Responses
what happens if my cleaning lady or other worker recently visited mexico? do i have to worry?
If any of you take these powerful antibiotics, please be aware that you will kill off large nukbers of important bacteria in your intestinal system, bacteria that are crucial for digestion and for your immune system.
You will have to take probiotic capsules and eat a lot of yogurt to restock your system.
My doctor said that he is not ready to give out the swine flu vaccine yet. Approximately 30 years ago there was a scare of the swine flu and they were offering free innoculations. I insist that at my age I need all of the protection I can get but my doctor feels otherwise.
I guess I have to stop applying cream to my face to prevent wrinkles and start looking like my age instead of just complaining about it.
#2- Good point about probiotic yogurt. Tempeh and Saurkraut sold in the health food store and Grocery Stores with a hechtsher also has active enzymes and cultures that are good for the Stomach. diet.