Swine flu: tamiflu for children?

We do love a good health scare in the UK press, so the current H1N1 outbreak has been a boon to journalists. The latest stir concerns a new study that suggests giving Tamiflu to children could be a bad move.

Researchers at the University of Oxford reviewed all the available evidence on oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza) in the treatment of seasonal influenza. Writing in the BMJ they note:

It is difficult to know the extent to which these findings can be generalised to children in the current A/H1N1 pandemic. At present, most cases in children have been mild, but recommendations in several countries encourage treatment of children with suspected or confirmed A/H1N1 flu.

While morbidity and mortality in the current pandemic remain low, a more conservative strategy might be considered prudent, given the limited data, side effects such as vomiting, and the potential for developing resistant strains of influenza.

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