Outbreak of Tamiflu-resistant H1N1 in Australia

Is anyone surprised Tamiflu-resistant H1N1 has emerged in Australia?

Like antibiotics, modern anti-virals can lose their punch over time. While patient non-compliance is to blame for antibiotic-resistant bacteria, viruses work differently.

Mutant H1N1 viruses evade Tamiflu through a single genetic change known as the H275Y mutation which prevents the medicine from clinging to neuraminidase, enabling the pathogen to spread.

Do these mutant viruses come about because people don't comply with the prescribed course of anti-virals? Or do they happen anyway as more and more people take anti-virals?

Should doctors reserve Tamiflu (Oseltamivir) only for people with very severe cases of flu? Would that help stop the genetic mutation of H1N1 virus?

Regular flu shots, exercise, good nutrition and herbal formulas form a much better anti-flu regimen. Herbal formulas such as 'Jin Hua Qing Gan 金花清感' , when taken at the first signs of flu (coughing, sore throat, mild chills, rapid pulse) often helps the body clear the infection.

In fact, 'Jin Hua Qing Gan 金花清感' was in the limelight recently for being as effective as Tamiflu in alleviating symptoms caused by H1N1. It's a combination of two well-known herbal formulas known as 'Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang' (麻杏石甘汤) and 'Yin Qiao San' (银翘散) respectively.

For those who want to know the formula composition:

'Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang' (麻杏石甘汤) - Traditionally used for asthma and other lung conditions:
Ma Huang (Ephedra) 麻黄 12 grams
Shi Gao (Gypsum) 石膏 48 grams
Xing Ren (Apricot Seed) 杏仁 18 grams
Zhi Gan Cao (Honey Fried Licorice Root) 炙甘草 6 grams


'Yin Qiao San' (银翘散) - Traditionally used for colds and flu:
Jin Yin Hua (Honeysuckle Flower) 金银花 9 - 15 grams
Lian Qiao (Forsythia Fruit) 连翘 9 - 15 grams
Jie Geng (Platycodon Root) 桔梗 3 - 6 grams
Niu Bang Zi (Great Burdock Fruit) 牛旁子 9 - 12 grams
Bo He (Field Mint, Mentha) 薄荷 3 - 6 grams
Dan Dou Chi (Prepared Soybean) 淡豆敕 3 - 6 grams
Jing Jie (Schizonepeta Bud or Stem) 荆芥 6 - 9 grams
Dan Zhu Ye (Lophatherum Stem and Leaves) 淡竹叶 3 - 6 grams
Lu Gen (Reed Rhizome) 芦根 15 - 30 grams
Gan Cao (Licorice Root) 甘草 3 - 6 grams

For those who prefer anti-virals, Relenza is still effective against the mutant strain, according to the WHO.

But for how much longer is anyone's guess.