When used as directed (twice daily for 5 days) Tamiflu can reduce the duration of influenza symptoms in otherwise healthy children by 1 to 1 ½ days. It also appears to reduce the severity of common flu symptoms. Consequently, it may allow children to return to school or other normal activities sooner. Tamiflu was also shown to be similarly effective in children who had a history of asthma and did not worsen the asthma symptoms.
Tamiflu is most effective when taken within 48 hours after the beginning of flu symptoms and not likely to be effective if patients have already had flu symptoms for several days. Patients (and their parents) should be aware that some patients with influenza may be at risk for secondary bacterial infections and should seek medical care if they are not improving within a few days of beginning Tamiflu.
Tamiflu has not been studied in children with very severe or complicated influenza who require hospitalization and it is not known whether it will provide the same benefit to children with severe illness.
