Tamiflu for the H1N1 Swine Flu Not Best Option

Flu Prevention and Boosting Immune System May Offer Better Choice

Aug 31, 2009 Laura Owens

A leading natural health doctor suggests prevention and bolstering your immune system is safer than taking Tamiflu or other influenza drugs and medications.

Dr. Mercola, a leading natural health physician and best-selling author suggests the growing swine flu pandemic anxiety is a by-product of fear mongering and an opportunity for drug companies to rake in money with flu drugs such as Tamiflu. Dr. Mercola recommends people take preventative measures to avoid or shorten the duration of the seasonal and swine flu.

People should carefully weigh the risks of getting the swine flu vaccination for themselves and their family members against the potential risks associated with contracting the swine flu.

What is Novel H1N1 (Swine Flu)?

The National Institute of Health Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website reports that the Novel H1N1 (referred to as “swine flu” early on) "is a new influenza virus causing illness in people." This new virus was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009.

This virus is spreading from person-to-person worldwide, in much the same way, the CDC reports, that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread. On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) signaled that a pandemic of novel H1N1 flu was underway.

According to the CDC this virus was originally referred to as “swine flu” because laboratory testing showed that many of the genes in this new virus were very similar to influenza viruses that normally occur in pigs (swine) in North America. But further study has shown that this new virus is very different from what normally circulates in North American pigs

Swine Flu Fear Over-Hyped Money Maker for Drug Companies Says Dr. Mercola

Dr. Mercola notes in his online article, "Critical Alert: The Swine Flu Pandemic - Fact or Fiction?" that as of June 12, 2009, 74 countries officially reported 29,669 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection and only 145 deaths in the entire world from this illness. Preliminary scientific evidence suggests this virus is not as potent as initially thought. Dr. Mercola notes that more people died from the Swine Flu Vaccine than Swine Flu in 1976.

Flu season, he says, presents a large revenue stream for pharmaceutical companies such as Gilead Sciences Inc., Roche, GlaxoSmithKline and other companies. "Swine flu is extremely convenient for governments that would have very soon have to dispose of billions of dollars of Tamiflu stock, which they bought to counter avian flu, or H5N1. The US government ordered 20 million doses, costing $2 billion, in October, 2005, and around that time the UK government ordered 14.6 million doses. Tamiflu’s manufacturer, Roche, has confirmed that the shelf life of its anti-viral is three years."

According to the CDC as of this printing, (August 31st, 2009), the novel virus that causes the swine flu has led to 8,500 hospitalizations and 550 deaths in the United States since the first case appeared in April. The CDC reports that the seasonal flu results in 200,000 hospitalizations and 36,000 deaths each year.

Natural Health Coalitions Warn Against Looking for Natural "Cure" for Flu

A dietary supplement industry coalition warns consumers against using dietary supplements to treat or cure H1N1. “There are dietary supplements that have much to offer in terms of enhancing general immune function,” the released statement said. “However, therapies for the treatment of swine flu should only be recommended by qualified healthcare professionals or public health authorities.” ("Coalition Says Supplements Not Swine Flu Remedy," Natural Products Marketplace, May 1, 2009).

Tamiflu Safety and Side Effects

"Tamiflu is not a safe drug," says Dr. Mercola."It can lead to common side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, fatigue and cough, the very symptoms people are trying to avoid with the vaccination. More serious side effects include convulsions, delirium and delusions. Japan banned Tamiflu for children in 1997. Safety concerns were raised after reports of neurological problems in some children, most occured in Japan.

David Reddy, global team leader for Roche’s Tamiflu, told FOXNews.com in November 2007, "We’ve conducted tests and experiments and are conducting new experiments and no causal relationship between Tamiflu and these (neurological) events has been established." Reddy said the overall frequency of neurological events in children is 19 per 1 million treated with Tamiflu.

Yet, Dr. Mercola points out that when used as directed, (twice daily for 5 days), Tamiflu will only reduce the duration of flu symptoms by 1 to 1 1/2 days according to official data. Dr. Mercola suggests the benefits are too small to risk the potentially dangerous side effects. In addition he notes there's growing evidence of a resistance to Tamiflu.

Natural Prevention of Swine Flu: Avoid Germs and Boost Immune System

The CDC suggests people take preventative measures to reduce the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza. Dr. Mercola suggests a drug and vaccination-free approach by keeping your immune system in "optimal working order" by:

Optimizing Vitamin D levels
Avoiding sugar and processed foods
Getting enough rest
Having effective tools to address stress
Exercising
Taking a good source of animal omega-3 fats like Krill oil
Washing your hands
Eating garlic regularly
Avoiding hospitals and vaccines

Individuals concerned about the risks associated with contracting the swine flu should consult with their doctor. Yet more importantly, everyone, even those at higher risk who are urged to get every flu vaccination, should be their own health advocate and research the facts about the swine flu virus, swine flu vaccination, and ways they can bolster their immune system.

For Additional Information:

National Institute of Health: Centers For Disease Prevention and Control: "Novel H1N1: Swine Flu and You,"http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/qa.htm.

Dr. Mercola: The Pharmaceutical Industry & the FDA are Endangering Your Health for Profit in this Highly Recommended Video

"Epidemic Influenza And Vitamin D By J. J. Cannell"Main Category: Flu / SARS News, Article Date: 15 Sep 2006 http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=51913.

"Tragedy swirls around Tamiflu," By Tomoko Otake, The Japan Times Online, Tuesday, March 20, 2007, http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fs20070320a3.html.

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The copyright of the article Tamiflu for the H1N1 Swine Flu Not Best Option in Natural Medicine is owned by Laura Owens. Permission to republish Tamiflu for the H1N1 Swine Flu Not Best Option in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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