HSE: Give your children swine flu drug despite fears

PARENTS are still being advised by the Health Service Executive (HSE) to treat children severely affected by swine flu with Tamiflu despite warnings about the drug’s side effects on children.

A new scientific report warns that anti-viral drugs can cause vomiting, which may lead to dehydration and other complications, in young children.

Anti-virals will remain the chief treatment for swine flu in Ireland until a vaccine becomes available, which is expected in September.

As of last week, there were 1,500 suspected cases of swine flu in Ireland with 276 confirmed cases.

The Oxford University report concludes that for many children aged between 1 and 12, the risks associated with taking the drugs may well outweigh any benefits.

While the report notes how anti-virals can shorten the duration of normal seasonal flu in children by up to a day and half, it points out that the drugs can cause unpleasant side effects like vomiting which can lead to dehydration.

The drugs ultimately “are probably not going to have much of an effect”, said the report’s author, Dr Matthew Thompson.

The HSE said last night the report did not in “any way change plans in place”.

The HSE advises treatment with anti-virals for patients with severe symptoms or those in defined risk groups such as the ill, the elderly or children under five years of age.

A statement added: “The use of Tamiflu is significantly more restricted here than in the UK. Treatment with anti-virals is only recommended after a doctor has made a clinical diagnosis of swine flu.”

The refusal to change its advice to parents came as Children’s Minister Barry Andrews backed HSE guidelines but also admitted there were potential side effects to any prescribed drug.

The minister also warned against any widespread panic.

“I think we need to avoid sensationalism in this area because it has the potential to be a dangerous pandemic. But it hasn’t got to that stage. If people follow the guidelines that are clearly set out by the HSE, there shouldn’t be any problem.”

The HSE said its Pandemic Influenza Expert Advisory Group would review the report.

The Oxford University report follows previous research released last month by Britain’s Health Protection Agency which claimed more than half of children taking Tamiflu experience side effects such as nausea and nightmares.

The latest confusion surrounding the use of anti-viral drugs as a key weapon against swine flu comes after the first Irish death from the influenza A (H1N1) last week.

The Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland has expressed concern about the effect of swine flu on cystic fibrosis sufferers following the death of 18-year-old Darina Calpin, from Templeboy, Co Sligo, who died last Friday in Tallaght Hospital after contracting the virus.

The HSE says it currently has 2,000 single rooms in the hospital system which can be used as isolation units.

Ms Calpin was due to receive her Leaving Certificate results tomorrow.