Swine flu can be treated if caught very early with two of the anti-viral medications oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza). Tamiflu is for treatment in adults and children aged 1 year and older, and must be taken within 48 hours of the first symptom.
There are currently 4 types of antiviral drugs that are licensed for use in the US for the treatment of influenza: Amantadine, Rimantadine, Oseltamivir and Zanamivir.
While most swine influenza viruses have been susceptible to these drugs, the most recent swine-flu viruses isolated from humans, are resistant to Amantadine and Rimantadine. None of these drugs prevent us from getting the virus, but can lesson the severity of the symptoms and shorten their duration.
While you can get yourself tested at private laboratries, treatment is being given only in Government hospitals for now.
