that flu again

Who would Tamiflu help the most? The sickest or is it for prevention?

So shouldn't it go to the people that need it the most, the ones who are the sickest? Not depending on the age?

In my opinion any life is worth saving wether they are young or old. Each person is a person of value, each person has a family....so what does it matter how old they are! 

Moraly, probably should be given to all that need it, but.... think about it, pandemic, if it really is threatening society so badly who do you need to keep everything moving, work been done, very tough decisions, and ones we really shouldn't have to make, but some people do have to make decisions like that, scary as it sounds!

And like i said Tamiflu is a one off! do you want it now, or when it comes back worse???

I can see your point. Let's just hope whoever is left to make decisions can make the right ones.

So true, Jason.  If God forbid, the H1N1 virus mutates to become a disastrous pandemic like 1918, they most likely will have to prioritize who gets the shot, if there are shortages.  It's only right that the people who go to the beginning of the queue be the ones most vulnerable, whether it's by age group or other health issues.  It's great to make sure the elderly are protected, and they usually are the first to be, with the ordinary flu shots.  But if it's younger people who start dropping like flies, it would be unconsionable to vaccinate the elderly instead - and vice versa.

It's my understanding they've yet to develop an H1N1 vaccine, and that the vaccine for seasonal flu won't protect against it.  I also think Tamiflu is only supposed to be taken if you have symptoms, like Barbara and Jason said.  As for a preventative - I would say beefing up a good vitamin regimen and all the other common sense stuff (hand washing, staying home if you're ill, etc.) are good habits to get into now - before flu season hits.

On a side note, I've asked about six different health care professionals (nurses, doctors, hospital workers) if they take the flu shot.  Amazingly, they ALL said no.  And these are people who are handling sick people all day, every day.  I find that very telling.  The flu, of course, is nothing to mess around with, and causes many deaths each year, and if your doctor thinks you should take the shot, you probably should, but I'm sure the pharmaceutical industry has caught on to the money making potential of getting everybody all in a panic over the flu.  If you're curious, next time you're at the Dr's, ask him or her if they get the flu shot.

This is what the government has set up over here now, and if you suspect you might have swine flu, they don't want you at the doctors and have someone else collect ay prescription for you, and I don't think Tamiflu will be offered until your temperature reaches 100.4F

https://www.pandemicflu.direct.gov.uk/

From what I have read and heard on the TV about the swine flu, Paper masks are a waste of time. If dust can get through then they cant stop the  virus. Due to my lung conditin, I have banned anybody with flu symptoms from visiting my house. But I have to go out, so I keep as far away from others as possible. At the end of the day, as soon as you take your change from a shopkeeper, you have left you open to the virus. It could be on the money that you just took into your hand. All that you can really do is, cough or sneeze into a paper hanky and dispose of it. Wash your hands regularly and keep away from people you suspect of having the flu.

If you look at my avatar, you will see that I already have the Blue Tongue disease. Lol