@“Cardinal Fang” from a quick google search from 2015 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science/science-news/11378225/Tamiflu-IS-effective-against-influenza-major-review-finds.html
There are actually studies showing repeated flu vaccines reduce its immunological responses, as shown in this study https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264410X17303900
“Both high and low vaccination groups in our study demonstrated protective antibody titres post-vaccination. The findings from the current study are suggestive of decreased serological response among highly vaccinated HCWs. More studies with larger sample sizes and a greater number of people in the vaccine-naïve and once-vaccinated groups are required to confirm or refute these findings before making any policy changes”
Here is a summary article https://blogs.biomedcentral.com/on-medicine/2017/08/21/do-repeated-vaccinations-impact-flu-vaccine-effectiveness/
There are a lot to debate about whether flu vaccines can ever be made better, as flu viruses are notoriously good at mutation. If government is pushing for everyone to get a flu shot, then everyone of us have the right to question and should demand better study of the shots.
182 people in a survey of healthcare workers not in the US. Irrelevant and extremely small sample. Nothing should be concluded from that.
There is no rational debate around vaccines. There are facts backed by billions of lives and decades of research.
From the authors:
Flu shots are the “best” weapons we have now, but its effectiveness is often so unpredictable and dismal in many years, that not demanding for more funding and better research is irrational.
Here’s a good article discussing the controversy about Tamiflu: https://las.touro.edu/media/schools-and-colleges/lander-college-for-arts-and-sciences/biology/publications/fall-2015/Neuraminidase_Inhibitor_Tamiflu_Effective_hershkop.pdf
Essentially, Cochrane said they didn’t find any reduction in complications after use of Tamiflu. Then Roche, the drug company that makes Tamiflu, formed a research group to study the issue, and paid those researchers; this is the Dobson et al. group who published the study in Lancet referred to in the Telegraph article @makemesmart links.
The Dobson group did a reanalysis of existing studies, interpreting medical records patient by patient, and said they found an effect. They will not release their research protocol to others, and they did not disclose that they were paid by Roche. The British Medical Journal and Cochrane have criticized the methodology and the funding of this study.
The WHO downgraded Tamiflu last year, and now regards it as “complementary” (not cost effective) rather than “core.” Cochrane is scathing on the subject: “The evidence of the marginal value of oseltamivir in managing and preventing the complications of influenza is approaching being 2 decades old.”
So, do you want to believe the WHO, or the drug manufacturer?
I do not have much faith in pharma, nor do I have blind faith in WHO nor FDA nor CDC. And this link is an easier read than @“Cardinal Fang” have linked above https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/new-evidence-same-conclusion-tamiflu-only-modestly-useful-for-influenza/
I know annecdotes are NOT evidence, but when I or a loved one is feeling rotten, I will and have grasped at whatever to help make it better.
Here’s an interesting article summarizing findings on both anti-virals commonly touted as helping reduce flu symptoms and speeding recovery:
Our pediatrician told us the liquid Tamiflu has been unavailable for many in our area, including her own child.
She is seeing many patents come in with very minor illness, who would usually not take their child in for that level of sickness, and expecting Tamiflu. The office is strained by the number of patents and liquid Tamiflu is running out. That really makes me concerned if really sick people are able to get appointments in a timely manner and get the treatment they need, whether it’s flu or something else.
Dh & I ended up with the flu despite getting the quadrivalent vaccine. However, it lasted about half as long as when we previously had the flu and wasn’t nearly as bad after the first two days, so perhaps the shots helped minimize the impact of the virus. We opted to not use Tamiflu due to concerns about side effects. I’ve read that it’s scarce here, too.
DS1 came back from the Super Bowl with what the doc described as the “Superflu”. Flu, pneumonia and bronchitis. It was insult after injury with the Patriots loss.
My 6 year old was diagnosed with the flu today. He’s on tamiflu, and we’re also having him rest and stay hydrated. Apparently we caught it early, so I’m hoping he’ll recover quickly.
Best wishes to all who are convalescing. It’s a very nasty bunch of strains circulating. Take care and hope other family members stay healthy.
Someone in this thread continues to say stay home from the Dr. if you have the flu because they doubt the Tamiflu efficacy. Well, it’s not your decision.
Any person who is sick knows their own body or their own child and it is their decision and the decision of their medical provider and no one else.
My college age daughter started developing symptoms over the weekend. Went to the Dr and was diagnosed with Strep. If she had stayed away from the Dr she could have had some serious problems. Two days on the antibiotic and she wasn’t feeling better. Went back to the Dr and was further diagnosed with Mono. Well, I know Mono is viral and there is no good treatment but turns out the antibiotic for the Strep had to be changed because it can’t be taken with Mono.
Let the patients and the Drs decide who needs what, not some random person on a message board because they don’t like the treatment options.
That’s beside the point. There’s a policy issue here. We complain that health care in the US costs too much-- and it DOES-- but we are unwilling to forgo treatments, even if the evidence supporting their efficacy is sketchy. It’s naive to say that nobody can get between the doctor and the patient. Payers, like insurance companies and governments, routinely decide what they will pay for and what they won’t pay for, which in most cases is the same as deciding whether patients can get the treatment.
Anecdotes about someone who went to the doctor and got treatment are useless here. Nobody doubts that people should go to doctors sometimes, and nobody doubts that many symptoms are not serious enough to require medical treatment. The issue is where to draw the line.
My body, my decision!!!
I believe we hear that phrase with other issues also.
I have talked to a number of people who received Tamiflu after getting the flu, who said their illness was much shorter in duration than the full blown flu would have been. I can read study after study about “no reduction in complications”, but it is obvious that if you have the flu for four days as opposed to ten, there will be less complications.I don’t care one whit about “policy issues” when it comes to health care for me and my family. I’m willing to pay what it costs to get the best care, and I really don’t give a crap about general health care guidelines for the general public, I’ll do what it takes to keep my family healthy. Much better to do preventative care than to wait until you’re seriously sick to take action.
Well, when communicable diseases are still around that can kill people, it’s not just “your” body 
Don’t want to treat yourself for cancer? Fine by me. Your cancer won’t hurt anyone else.
Don’t want to get a shot because of conspiracy theories and risk killing other people? Not fine by me. Your decisions can kill people with suppressed immune systems, babies, and more.
So no. Not your body, your choice. It’s the small price you have to pay for living in a society and being a decent human being.
^^^^ Maybe we should start rounding up the fools who refuse to protect you as demanded. Round them up and force them to take their medicine. Just wow. While we’re at it, kick all those other fools out of the doctors offices, they obviously do not have the level of mental skill required to make that choice. Add a nice mark on the forehead to identify who exactly is a ‘decent human being’ so that we can all share in the wisdom.
Again, just wow.
I don’t think bhs1978 is saying that one should not get the flu vaccine. I believe that he or she is saying that if they think they need to go to the doctor because they have the flu, then it is their personal decision to do so, it is their choice.
Hard to argue against that one.
I was scheduled for physical therapy yesterday, but stupidly forgot my appointment, which got rescheduled for today. Then it was cancelled this morning, because my wonderful therapist had suddenly fallen ill. Hmm. I think I’m glad I missed the appointment yesterday.