Researchers in Japan confirmed that flu-fighting medicines are contaminating rivers downstream from sewage-treatment facilities. The source: Excretion by people taking the antiviral drug that slows influenza, oseltamivir phosphate, best known as Tamiflu.
Researchers and health officials are concerned that birds, which are natural carriers of influenza, are being exposed to water containing oseltamivir phosphate(Tamiflu) in it's active state. They're afraid that this may develop drug-resistant strains of the seasonal and Avian Flu.
For the study, researches at Kyoto University sampled the water discharged from three sewage treatment plants and the water at a few points along two rivers into which treated water flowed. Sampling began in December 2008, at the start of flu season. The research team sampled later on at the height of the seasonal Avian flu season(February) as infection rates increased.
Tamiflu's active form (oseltamivir carboxylate) showed up in the treated sewage in every test. In the researchers online report the values were low (nanograms-per-liter)in the first and last samples and peaked at almost 300 ng/L during the flu's peak. (Source--wired.com)
The research conducted in Japan supports the computer models on German researcher Wolf von Tümpling Jr. Von Tümpling's data shows that once exposed to sunlight the oseltamivir carboxylate(OC) will breakdown. At best, Concentrations would fall by half every three weeks.
The fear: The seasonal flu as well as H1N1 Swine Flu Virus will send the use of Tamiflu skyrocketing. The Tamiflu will be excreted in its active form, and is not able to be filtered out at sewage treatment plants. This means that any birds that like hanging out in the warm water discharges from the treatment plants will be exposed.
The Effect: Birds in the water containing oseltamivir carboxylate could potentially build a resistance to Tamiflu, which would result in resistant forms of the seasonal and Avian-flu (however not H1N1.)
Things to keep in mind this flu season:
Know the Symptoms! Knowing what to look for can be your best bet at a speedy recovery. It's also one of the best ways to help prevent spreading it. If you think you have contracted the flu, stay home!
Don't use Aspirin! "Salicylates specifically, aspirin, are contra-indicated, in patients who have the flu or flu like symptoms. We feel the exposure of patients with the flu to asprin specifically increases the risk of certain neurological inflammatory processes that can be very severe and very debilitating." Says Michael Marcus, MD Director Pediatric Allergy and Pulmonary-Maimonides Medical Center
Keep Hydrated: When you have the influenza virus, or other respiratory illness keeping the mucus thin and loose is very important. If it becomes thick it blocks key airway passages making it more difficult to breathe. Drink lots of water, and use Saline sprays if you think or know you have the flu.
The best thing to remember this flu season--a good defense, is a good offense: WASH YOUR HANDS! It's the best thing you can do to prevent catching or spreading the flu.
