JOIN USChildren administered Tamiflu tablets
Efforts to tackle cases of H1N1 fever in the district is facing a setback, due to a Statewide shortage of Tamiflu syrup. The shortage has forced the authorities concerned to abandon the recommended oral treatment and prophylaxis dose of Tamiflu for children, and administer Tamiflu tablets to all patients.
While patients above 13 years, irrespective of body weight are prescribed Tamiflu tablets in case of infection, various doses of oral Tamiflu are prescribed for children below 13 years. However, the shortage of Tamiflu syrup has caused some concerns.
According to District Surveillance Officer, Dr D G Nagaraj, due to the shortage, even children were being administered Tamiflu tablets. The tablets are dissolved in water and administered to children. “There will not be any problems if the children are prescribed tablets, with dosages based on their body weight,” he said.
As on Tuesday, a total of 17 suspected cases of H1N1 fever were reported in the district, of which two were children, Nagaraj said. “Procurement process for Tamiflu syrups is on, and it will be available in all hospitals shortly,” he said. Both Tamiflu tablets and syrups are being distributed for free by the government.
Nagaraj said that of the cases reported in the district, three persons were confirmed to have H1N1 fever, of which one person had died. Two persons have been provided medication and are recovering, he said. Reports for a set of samples, collected from persons suspected to have had swine flu, will be available tomorrow, he added.
Tablets
He said that following the outbreak, the district had received a supply of 2,000 tablets from the State, which will add to the stock, which was available in the district. Another consignment of tablets is due to arrive on Wednesday, he said.
Health department was dispatching tablets to hospitals where patients are suspected to be suffering from H1N1. Dosage of tablets varies from person to person, he said.
He said that the stock of Tamiflu syrups had arrived only once in the past in the district, in the year 2009. “Since, there was a scare about the disease that year, stocks of both the syrups and tablets were in the district. After 2009, not many cases were reported, until the outbreak this year,” he added.