Harms outweigh benefits, according to Oxford researchers

Children should not be given the anti-viral drug Tamiflu for swine flu because the benefits are outweighed by the harms, Oxford researchers said today.

They called for the Department of Health to urgently rethink its current policy in the swine flu pandemic.

According to the study, Tamiflu caused vomiting in some children. This can lead to dehydration and complications.

The drug had little or no effect on asthma flare-ups, ear infections or the likelihood of a child subsequently requiring antibiotics.

Dr Carl Henegan, a GP and expert from the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, said the current policy of giving Tamiflu for mild illness was an "inappropriate strategy".

He added: "The downside of the harms outweigh the one-day reduction in symptomatic benefits."

This follows another study, just over a week ago, which found that children given Tamiflu preventatively reported side-effects including nausea and nightmares.

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