Spam Journalism #41

Spam Journalism: The spurious use of sensational headlines to add spice to an otherwise pointless article. (MacDoctor definition)

Today’s slice of meaty medical spam is brought to you by the hardworking chefs at the Dominion Post. This is the second piece of Swine Flu spam.

Mutation fear as swine flu cases grow

“Fears are growing that swine flu – which has killed 180 people worldwide – will become resistant to antiviral drugs after confirmation that winter flu strains here are no longer susceptible to the antiviral drug Tamiflu.”

While it is perfectly true that Swine Flu may become resistant to Tamiflu by re-combining with seasonal flu strains, this is not news. It has been true since the discovery of Swine Flu. The news that all the 18 strains of seasonal flu are resistant to Tamiflu is not really news. This year the flu viruses in the northern hemisphere were 99% resistant and it was virtually a sure thing that they would be completely resistant by this time. It is, of course, only a matter of time before Swine Flu develops the same resistance, but this has always been the case.

Fortunately, the alternative product, Relenza, appears to be resistant to resistance (if that is the correct phrase). In fact some consider it to be resistance proof, although this seems a bit of a stretch to me. However, the argument that it should be used as the first-line drug against Swine Flu, rather than using Tamiflu is a reasonable one. It is highly likely that Swine Flu will develop resistance to Tamiflu by recombination with another flu virus. This is likely to be a very abrupt transition with Tamiflu working well one week and poorly a couple of weeks later. Use of Relenza instead will reduce the chances of the swine flu recombining (by reducing its production), thereby preserving the efficacy of Tamiflu, making it a useful second line treatment, or even combination treatment. It is survival of the virus that builds resistance, not simply exposure to antivirals.

I assume it is for the above reason that the government is now attempting to stockpile Relenza.

Of course, if Relenza does turn out to be resistance-proof then this particular article is even more garbage-like than I thought.

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