Two weekends ago I suffered from a flu-like illness, feeling progessively unwell on the Friday, hot & cold sweats and severe muscular aches & pains, and splitting headache on the sat/sun/mon. I had a residual background headache for the rest of the week, but other signs resolved.
Fortunately no particular upper respiratory or lung problems other than a slight sniffle. I took Panadol and because of the weekend didnt visit a GP for antivirals.
A number of people I know have suffered a more prolonged chesty illness with relapses extending to 2 weeks or more. Hopefully I am now immune (as per the last post).
Last Wednesday afternoon a friend, who was heading off for a 2 week walking trek yesterday (Sat), developed hot & cold sweats, upper respiratory signs and headache - typical flu-like symptoms.
She was very concerned she would have to cancel the trip. On Thursday morning I visited the GP on her behalf and obtained a prescription for Relenza.
Nonetheless she was very apprehensive about inhaling Relenza as she has a tendency towards allergic reactions eg hives.
For precautionary reasons the literature accompanying the Relenza has warnings about potential (but rare) side effects. My guess is that many people would initally be very risk averse about inhaling a medication in powder form.
I think this is one of the reasons that Tamiflu taken orally won out originally over Relenza by inhalation - despite the fact that the site of action is the respiratory tract.
The fear of missing the walking trip won out and so she commenced the course of Relenza mid-Thursday morning (probably 18 hours after onset of signs).
Thursday was the high point of the symptoms. There were no adverse effects (other than a little apprehension). By Friday morning the symptoms were diminishing, and by Sat morning she was feeling in good shape - and flew out on the trip.
Conclusion 1. While there was no confirmation of swine flu, it fits the clinical description described by others 2. Once having overcome the inital apprehension she was very keen/enthusiastic, based on improvement of her symptoms, to continue the course of Relenza. The apprehension (and the symptoms) rapidly disappeared. 3. I was very surprised how quickly the symptoms dissipated.I assume 200 times the effective dose delivered to the site of action is presumably the explanation. 3. In essence, better information needs to be provided about the rarity of side-effects to Relenza - perhaps a summary of trial results - both for the GP's and patient's benefit.
BTA Price at posting:
$1.88 Sentiment: LT Buy Disclosure: Held
