Oseltamivir, more commonly known as Tamiflu, is used by physicians for the treatment in individuals suffering from symptoms that are associated with influenza. Patients who take Tamiflu often notice a big difference in relief that they feel from the flu symptoms such as a cough, stuffy nose, feeling tired, chills, a sore throat, fever, and body aches.

This medication not only helps these symptoms to feel less severe, but it can also help a great deal in shortening the time that it takes for the person to recover by as much as 1 to 2 days. If you have been exposed to a family member or a friend that has the flu virus, Tamiflu can also be prescribed to help prevent you from acquiring influenza.

Tamiflu should not be taken as a substitute for the regular flu vaccine, but it can work well at stopping the virus from growing any further once a person has contracted the flu. When your family physician has prescribed this type of drug for you, it is important to take it until the medicine is gone. If you were to stop the medicine too soon, it can often result in a relapse of the virus.