Another name for bird fly is avian influenza. As it is clear from the name this illness appears mostly among in birds (chickens frequently). Generally its character is mild but it also can turn severe and in this case very pathogenic and birds die during the period of two days. The virus may as well be transferred to humans who had direct contact to these birds. The consequences may be of mild and more severe character and even lead to death. This virus was also named H5N1 and it caused death of 10% of 700 infected people from all over the world. Though it now seems rather safe from person to person transference there is no guarantee from its mutation. In this case it can cause a pandemic like the one that took place in 1918.

The major means of influenza control is vaccination; and though some antiviral medicines can seem effective in fighting the condition they should not be considered an equal replacement for vaccination.

The following antiviral drugs are available and approved in the US: amantadine (Symmetrel), rimantadine (Flumadine), zanamivir (Relenza), and oseltamivir (Tamiflu).  However in 2006 CDC declared that the former two can not be used in the treatment of influenza as they developed a resistance to the drugs and may evoke undesired adverse effects; though the latter two can still be considered more or less effective.

These medications (zanamivir (Relenza) and oseltamivir (Tamiflu) were, actually, declared by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) the only efficient for the prevention of the condition and until a better means is found. It is generally required that people having influenza should start taking the drug within two days the infection has started to develop. In this case the administration of the remedy can either prevent the flu or interfere from its becoming too severe. Nevertheless there are some restrictions in the drug administration.

First of all, there is no necessity in antiviral medications if a person has a febrile illness and there is no risk of influenza. Secondly, patients with a confirmed diagnosis of novel influenza (H1N1) are advised to be treated with the remedy. Finally, the usage of the medicines in children should be considered according to the clinical judgment; it is also important to remember that seasonal influenza can be fraught with serious complications in children.

Tamiflu and Relenza are now considered number one medications for controlling novel H1N1 swine flu as so far the illness showed no resistance to them.

The medications, though being both initially purposed for the treatment of A and B influenza, differ in administration. Zanamivir (Relenza) is usually given for patients who have 7 years of age; when oseltamivir (Tamiflu) is used in patients of 1 year and older for the conventional flu.

Nevertheless the CDC has made several amendments in their administration, all connected with the spread of novel H1N1. People with a diagnosed severe influenza, children younger than 2 years of age, pregnant women, senior patients older than 65, patients having some chronic or immunosuppressive conditions and people on a long-term aspirin therapy are also allowed to take the medication.

The effectiveness of these medications can be estimated about 68%-89% in the cases of conventional flu, though, the effectiveness of the medications’ use for novel H1N1 has not been stated yet. It is required to take the drug for 10 days to prevent the condition and for 5 days in the purposes of treatment taking into consideration a patient’s condition, age, weight and the type of drug formulation. It is know that influenza viruses develop resistance to drugs but these two (Relenza and Tamiflu) so far proved reliable and are currently being studied on the subject of their effectiveness with novel H1N1 and bird flu.