<TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR>Explain side effects of anti-viral medication in flu booklet
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<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->I RECEIVED a booklet from the Health Promotion Board (HPB) titled, Frequently Asked Questions On Influenza A (H1N1-2009).
The booklet rightly points out that anti-viral medications like Tamiflu and Relenza come with possible side effects. However, it does not elaborate on what they might be.
Through an Internet search, I learnt that according to a report by the United States Food and Drug Administration's division of drug-risk evaluation, Tamiflu side effects include panic attacks, delusions, delirium, convulsions, depression, loss of consciousness and suicidal tendencies.
The warning label on Tamiflu states: 'People with the flu, particularly children, may be at an increased risk of self-injury and confusion shortly after taking Tamiflu and should be closely monitored for signs of unusual behaviour.'
Aren't these serious enough for the public to be informed?
Meanwhile, The Daily Express of Britain reported last Friday:
'More than half of all children taking Tamiflu to fight swine flu have experienced side effects such as nausea and nightmares.' This was found in a study by Britain's Health Protection Agency carried out at three London schools in April and May. With regard to possible side effects of flu vaccination, again there is evidence that they can be serious, possibly more serious than getting the flu.
Yet not a word is written in the HPB booklet about them.
Richard Seah
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<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->I RECEIVED a booklet from the Health Promotion Board (HPB) titled, Frequently Asked Questions On Influenza A (H1N1-2009).
The booklet rightly points out that anti-viral medications like Tamiflu and Relenza come with possible side effects. However, it does not elaborate on what they might be.
Through an Internet search, I learnt that according to a report by the United States Food and Drug Administration's division of drug-risk evaluation, Tamiflu side effects include panic attacks, delusions, delirium, convulsions, depression, loss of consciousness and suicidal tendencies.
The warning label on Tamiflu states: 'People with the flu, particularly children, may be at an increased risk of self-injury and confusion shortly after taking Tamiflu and should be closely monitored for signs of unusual behaviour.'
Aren't these serious enough for the public to be informed?
Meanwhile, The Daily Express of Britain reported last Friday:
'More than half of all children taking Tamiflu to fight swine flu have experienced side effects such as nausea and nightmares.' This was found in a study by Britain's Health Protection Agency carried out at three London schools in April and May. With regard to possible side effects of flu vaccination, again there is evidence that they can be serious, possibly more serious than getting the flu.
Yet not a word is written in the HPB booklet about them.
Richard Seah
