Influenza is caused by a viral infection of the respiratory tract. Influenza is a very contagious infection that sometimes becomes a pandemic. You are mostly like to catch this infection from an infected person who you share close proximity with. The influenza virus enters the body through the mucous membranes in the mouth, eyes, or nose. Influenza occurs due to flu viruses. There are mainly three types of flu viruses: type A, type B and type C. The viruses change constantly and different strains circulate around the world every year. Types A and B are the most severe. Type C either is mild in comparison, sometimes showing no symptoms at all. It does not cause epidemics and does not have the severe public health impact like influenza types A and B.

Tamiflu (oseltamivir) is an antiviral prescription-only drug designed to fight influenza. It cannot cure influenza, but it does ease the symptoms as it prevents the influenza virus from multiplying. Manufactured by Roche, Tamiflu is a neuraminidase-blocker and allows the immune systems of our body to attack the influenza virus effectively.

Influenza viruses spread easily through droplets produced while coughing or sneezing. Influenza viruses can also be transmitted by indirect contact by touching a contaminated object or surface and then touching your own mouth, eyes, or nose before washing your hands.

Influenza symptoms

Influenza, also called "flu" occurs mostly in winter between October and March. The symptoms of influenza often include:

Fever – usually continuous and may be lower in older adults than in children
Muscle pain and body aches – often severe, usually in the arms, back and legs
Headache – severe pain in forehead
Loss of appetite – due to a feeling of illness or fatigue
Dry cough, sore throat or runny nose – symptoms are more evident when the fever fades

Other symptoms are usually more severe, when a fever is high. Symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhoea are not related to influenza. Please visit your doctor if you experience any of the above symptoms.

Treatment

Medications that fight the influenza viruses are called antiviral medicines. They do not have the ability to cure the virus but may reduce the severity and the symptoms of influenza by stopping the multiplication of the influenza viruses.

Other effective treatments can reduce the duration of the suffering caused by the flu and improve your health. Consult a doctor within 2 days of seeing signs and symptoms of influenza. Meds4all provides a prescription treatment called Tamiflu for influenza. This treatment is used for prevention as well as treatment of influenza and has shown promising results in clinical trials. Tamiflu also eases flu symptoms and gives relief from the disease.
You should consult your doctor before starting a prescription course for treating influenza as other conditions such as common cold may also have similar symptoms. Please read all available online as well as offline information about the medications. Our doctors are always available if you have any questions regarding your condition or the medication you are taking. Our pharmacies shall dispense medication after it has been prescribed by our doctors and re-ensured by our pharmacies.