Warning of dangers when using Tamiflu without permission

Tamiflu is a prescription drug and requires a prescription from a doctor before use.

According to the influenza treatment guidelines of the Vietnamese Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization (WHO), as well as the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the use of the antiviral drug Tamiflu (active ingredient oseltamivir) is only indicated when there are severe complications or high risks. Medical experts warn that using Tamiflu without a doctor's prescription can cause serious consequences.

Flu patients are being treated at medical facilities.

Doctor Le Van Thieu, Department of General Infections, Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases said, Tamiflu is a prescription drug and requires a prescription from a doctor before use.

However, not all cases of influenza require this specific antiviral drug. Treatment is mainly symptomatic, helping to reduce discomfort during the acute phase of the infection. Most cases of influenza can be cured without treatment with Tamiflu.

Only in cases with a high risk of severe progression, such as the elderly, people with underlying medical conditions or young children, will doctors consider using antiviral drugs to reduce the risk of serious complications. These patients need to be monitored and early detection of severe signs so that timely hospitalization can be done if necessary.

Associate Professor, Dr. Do Duy Cuong, Director of the Center for Tropical Diseases, Bach Mai Hospital, said that during cold weather days, influenza tends to increase, especially among the elderly, people with weak immune systems and pregnant women. Since the beginning of 2024, the Center has treated thousands of cases of seasonal flu, many of which are severe and require ventilators.

A typical example is a 78-year-old male patient TVL, with a history of high blood pressure and Alzheimer's disease, who was admitted to the hospital with a high fever and increasing difficulty breathing. After being tested and confirmed to have influenza A, the patient had to have an endotracheal tube and be put on a ventilator for treatment.

According to doctors, cold and humid weather weakens the body's immune system and creates favorable conditions for seasonal flu viruses to break out. Seasonal flu starts suddenly and has symptoms such as high fever (38-40°C), chills. Headache, muscle pain throughout the body. Dry cough, sore throat, runny nose. Prolonged fatigue, nausea (in children), possibly accompanied by abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea.

Associate Professor Cuong recommends that it is necessary to clearly distinguish between the common cold and the flu. Colds are usually caused by cold winds and will go away on their own after a few days, while the flu is caused by influenza viruses that can cause serious complications if not treated promptly.

Although seasonal flu is usually mild, if not treated promptly, it can lead to dangerous complications such as pneumonia, respiratory failure, and even death in people with underlying diseases or weakened immune systems. Therefore, doctors recommend that everyone get a flu vaccine every year, especially for high-risk groups such as the elderly, children, pregnant women, postpartum women, and people with underlying diseases.

In addition, people need to wash their hands regularly, wear masks in crowded places, strengthen their resistance by eating nutritious foods, keeping their bodies warm and getting enough sleep. Flu vaccination not only helps reduce the risk of getting sick, but also reduces the possibility of the disease progressing if infected with the flu virus.

According to Associate Professor Cuong, the flu vaccine will help the immune system effectively deal with the flu virus during the epidemic season. However, it should be noted that the flu vaccine needs to be administered annually to maintain protection.

Source: https://baodautu.vn/canh-bao-nguy-hiem-khi-tu-y-dung-tamiflu-d244820.html