Tamiflu, whose common technical name is oseltamivir, is part of a family of influenza fighting medicines called neuraminidase inhibitors. Tamilflu is used in the healing of infections caused by both the flu A and influenza B viruses. Tamiflu, which requires a prescription, can be used both to treat the influenza if taken soon after symptoms become visible, or to stop the flu. The difference between Tamiflu and a vaccine is that Tamiflu helps your immune system be in a position to fight off the progress of the viral infection, whereas a vaccine is just a straight injection of dead influenza that causes your immune system to produce antibodies to fight off the virus itself.

Tamiflu demand has skyrocketed over the past year for several reasons. There was a shortage of available flu vaccine during influenza season 2005, with in some cases barely enough for senior citizens or those with more susceptible immune conditions being able to get vaccinated. Also, the U.S. government was concerned that an outbreak of bird influenza in the United States could leave the U.S. short on influenza vaccines, causing them to hold back provisions just in case of an outbreak. However, the bird flu is different form human influenza. This is exacly the same scenario as swine influenza these days.

Bird flu is much harder to transmit than human influenza, requiring very close physical contact to spread the virus. Bird flu has been observed in countries where humans and animals are in close contact. There have been approximately 70 deaths worldwide and just about 130 infections since 2005. The primary concern of health officials around the planet is that bird flu will infect a person already carrying the human flu strain, and that the two viruses will somehow swap genetic material, causing the bird influenza to mutate into a virus that spreads much faster through the air, like human flu, only this bug would be more deadly. A highly virulent strain of mutated bird flu could create a pandemic for the world, as did the Spanish influenza virus of the early 1900′s that killed 20 to 50 million people worldwide.

Unfprtunately, swine flu is much closer to the spanish flu than the bird influenza was. We did however learn alot from the bird influenza outbreak that prepared us for what is certain to be a sever pandemic of the swine influenza.

The bird influenza is linked with the influenza A strain H5N1 influenza bug. Although not the same as the Spanish flu virus, the current avian flu strain does share many similarities with the Spanish flu strain. Initial studies have shown that Tamiflu may be effectual in helping to fight the effects of this flu virus if the medicine is taken very early after flu symptoms become visible. As a result, the demand for Tamiflu has skyrocketed as customers have rushed to their doctors to obtain prescriptions and gone on the internet to buy the drug from online pharmacies.

Comparable findings have been recognized with the swine influenza. When Tamiflu is taken very early on it does appear to have a popsitive effect in combating the bug.

A Swiss drug maker, F. Hoffman La-Roche Ltd., at present has a tight hold on the manufacturing of Tamiflu. Biolyse Pharma Corp., when turned down in its bid to try to enter the Tamiflu marketplace, had decided as of December of 2005 to attempt to mass produce several tons of shikimic acid, which is the main ingredient in Tamiflu, from the needles of discarded Christmas trees, as well as other pine, fir, and spruce trees. Such trees are the main source of shikimic acid.

Oseltamivir, sold under the brand name Tamiflu, is one of several medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the healing and prevention of influenza. The CDC has announced that a swine flu vaccine should be available fall 2009.