A flu strain resistant to Tamiflu, the most frequently prescribed treatment for influenza, has become the most commonly circulated form of the illness in the U.S.
The inhaled powdered drug Relenza is effective in treating the H1N1 strain, but is not recommended for children under 7-years-old or with patients with lung disease.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending doctors treat H1N1 with a combination of Tamiflu, and an older flu drug, Flumadine, which the strain is not resistant to.
Since this combination does work in treating the strain, and because this year's flu season is slow compared to other years, health officials say they don't see a reason to panic. They believe Tamiflu lost its effectiveness against the strain because of its increased use worldwide to treat upper respiratory illnesses, the Washington Post reported.
The CDC also said that all strains of the flu circulating the United States are preventable if people received the flu vaccine.
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