How are people treated for bird flu? Is a vaccine available to prevent a person from catching it?
Different types of antiviral prescription medications are expected to be helpful for the
preventionand treatment of bird flu (also called avian influenza or avian flu). Two of these
drugs are Tamiflu® (oseltamivir)
and Relenza® (zanamivir).
According to the World Health Organization, these drugs have been shown in laboratory studies
to reduce the severity and duration of seasonal influenza. It is believed they may lessen the
severity of bird flu and increase the chance of survival. A key factor to their effectiveness
is how quickly the patient receives the medications after symptoms appear.
Currently, no vaccine is available to prevent bird flu.
Learn more about avian
influenza in the Health Encyclopedia.
If you're looking for more specific answers to specific questions, ask a Walgreens pharmacist here.
DISCLAIMER:
Answers to questions regarding information about medications or health conditions are not for
diagnostic or treatment purposes and are not conclusive as to the presence or absence of any
health condition. Consult your physician for diagnosis and treatment of your medical condition.
The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. Advances in medicine may cause
this information to become outdated, invalid or subject to debate. Professional opinions and
interpretations of the scientific literature may vary. Walgreens' terms of use and general
warranty disclaimer apply to all services provided. If you are in need of immediate medical
attention, contact your physician, poison control center or emergency medical professional. If
you need to speak with a pharmacist for non-emergency matters, contact your local Walgreens
pharmacist or call a Walgreens.com pharmacist toll-free at 1 (877) 250-5823.
