Headlines report groundwork being laid to allow military to act in flu-related enforcement role.

Groo and all, if you wait for the flu to get here, I dont think there will be any Tamiflu left. Reference last years flu shot shortage. I went to my doctor today and begged him to write me a prescription for my family of 4. He thinks I am an idiot but I got 4 doses for my family.

How long is it good for? The tamiflu, not the prescription. Someone else mentioned shelf life.

I'm glad someone mentioned this here. I was hoping to gather some insight as to what to do, as well.

Did anyone catch the President's press conference? He mentioned how if the pandemic flu hits the U.S., it would be necessary to have the executive power to mobilize the military in order to quarantine a massive number of civilians quickly. Or something like that. He also mentioned the steps that the government was taking to prevent a possible outbreak (stuff on the medical side of things). If anyone has any further info to add, please go ahead.

I'm not counting on being able to get Tamiflu. So I guess the best course of action is....washing my hands often?

Tamiflu is by prescription, it is made by Roche Pharmacueticals.

Here some info about avian flu and Tamiflu meds
http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/asiapcf/09/3...reut/index.html

Sorry, correct link is
http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/asiapcf/09/30/birdflu.drugs.reut/index.html

Interesting article here, in NY Times. Just been determined that the 1918 Spanish flu epidemic (as Billy Guttery pointed out, above, actually originated in the US) was a bird flu that jumped directly to humans.

Mother Nature does like to play with us.

That's interesting, for years now scientists claimed the 1918 pandemic came from a mutated porcine virus.

Folks, I think we are on the threshold of finally developing a remedy/therapy that can immunize humans from viral infections in the future. I can foresee the engineering of an antagonistic strain of virus that readily recombines with other strains and renders them harmless.

Just a perspective from me here in South East Asia, Singapore. We have had SARS and now avian Infulenza is looming in neighbouring Indonesia. When Indonesia (who usually deny that there is anything wrong with the country) states that they have a problem with containing the avian influenza, we best all sit up and listen.

It can be highly contagious (even more so than SARS) and most governments in this region including the Australian govenrment have been stockpiling Tamiflu and more recently Relenza. Both are neuraminidase inhibitors and short circuit the viral replication process. It's not like they are THE CURE or anything, its just that it's them or nothing! Influenza has become mostly resistant to Amantadine (the previous antiviral) and in time will also become resistant to these two drugs.

Bottom line, most adults with a healthy immune system will probably be OK, it's the elderly, children and people with chronic medical conditions like heart ailments, asthma or other pulmonary conditions who will probably be worse off.

There is no need for the man in the street to panic or stockpile medication. You can't tell if you do have the flu for sure and the window period to treat the flu with these medications is about 48h. Beyond that, the drugs are useless.

SO:
1. Get your flu shots
2. Proper sleep and well balanced diet (no, not Domino's)
3. Exercise helps your immunity

If the flu does hit and an epidemic does occur:
1. Quarantine enforced or otherwise is the way to go. No use yelling about rights and civil liberties. It is the only way to contain the virus. Here in Singapore during SARS, we were [censored] about the 'police state' and 'big brother' enforcing the home quarantine, but in hindsight these tough measures saved many more lives.

2. Antivirals can help - as to how much, leave it to your doc. No use stockpiling. you wouldn't know when to use it.

3. Personal Protective equipment - probably more for front line medical staff like me, paramedicpete etc. N95/N99 maks, goggles, gown, gloves etc

4. Personal hygiene

5. Oh and did I mention....get your flu shot.

HTH