November 12, 2009GENEVA (AP) -- The World Health Organization says doctors shouldn't wait for lab confirmation before giving anti-viral drugs to pregnant women and other at-risk groups with suspected swine flu.
WHO medical officer Dr. Nikki Shindo says prescribing antivirals early to vulnerable people with clinical symptoms of swine flu can help lower the risk of serious complications.
Shindo says otherwise healthy people should only take drugs such as Tamiflu if their condition worsens rapidly and never as a preventive measure.
She says "the vast majority" of people who catch swine flu will recover without medication or hospital treatment.
Shindo said Thursday that Ukraine, Afghanistan and Mongolia have reported their hospitals are being overwhelmed by serious cases.
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