by Alicksis

Created on: November 19, 2009   Last Updated: November 20, 2009

As of the 11th June, 2009, World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the outbreak of the H1N1 flu strain (Colloquially known as 'Swine Flu') to be at Level 6, pandemic stage. This declaration follows an epidemic situation which was first identified in Mexico. It was thought to have started in Mexico in January of 2009, but now speculation has arose and it is now thought by some scientists that the flu started and developed in Asia before being transferred to North America, but the theories made do not currently have enough evidence to support them. Since the spread of the flu worldwide, countries have put their pandemic plans into action. For developed countries this included stockpiling a large amount of Antiviral drugs.

The purpose of Antiviral drugs is to work directly on viruses, by trying to stop the virus from multiplying. WHO has identified two drugs to be used which work effectively in the battle against this particular flu strain. Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and Zanamivir (Relenza) are the two identified Antiviral drugs effective in treating the treatments of swine flu. The drugs help to; reduce length of illness on average by one day, relieve some of the symptoms, reduce the risk of contracting more serious illnesses. They are considered to be effective and viable swine flu treatments. During the first months of the developing situation, the drugs were being administered to patients who had been diagnosed with the H1N1 Flu. People who were coming into close contact on a regular basis with the infected individual were also given the drugs.

The drugs have been designed to work effectively against Fly types A and B. The H1N1 strain is a subtype of influenza virus A. The genetic elements of the strain can be split into four parts; North American swine influenza, North American avian influenza, human influenza and Eurasian swine influenza. This is an unusual mix of the four flu viruses. It appears to be the result of an antigenic shift between swine and human influenza viruses. Both drugs have been approved to be used by adults and children over the age of seven.

Oseltamivir is one of the official recognised Antiviral drugs used to treat the symptoms of the new flu strain. The drug can be used to treat influenza virus A and influenza virus B. The drug becomes active as it passes through the liver. It was developed by Gilead Sciences and has been marketed by Roche under the trade name Tamiflu. Oseltamivir can be taken either orally via tablets, or a suspension.

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