Can Tamiflu prevent the Flu?

Just watched a supposedly competent pharmacists mocking the people trying to prevent swine flu by taking Tamiflu. Apparently many are buying Tamiflu from spammers and dubious online pharmacies for sometimes exorbitant prices. These unwashed masses, however, are right and many of the so-called “experts” on TV are wrong. Tamiflu (Oseltamivir) and Zanamivir, another antiviral, can be used for prophylaxis, see for example here or here.

Being right doesn’t mean that those people aren’t idiots. Unless you’re in Mexico or treating infected people, you’re still very unlikely to be exposed to the new virus. And if you’re in a developed country it’s probably better to get infected now than later, when the virus could have mutated and become more harmful, medical supplies have been exhausted and hospitals are overwhelmed. Get swine flu right now and you’ll see a Nobel Prize reunion happening at your bedside plus immunity for the rest of your life.