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Taking flu drugs prematurely

In the past, some patients have rushed to stock up on antiviral medications like Tamiflu. The majority of people won’t need these drugs—ever—and taking them unnecessarily could increase the risk that the virus will become resistant to these medicines.

On a related note, parents who are prescribed liquid Tamiflu for their children could accidentally give sick kids the wrong amount, warns a letter on the New England Journal of Medicine website, because dosage instructions don't always coincide with measurement markings on the syringe that comes with the medication. Anyone prescribed Tamiflu should discuss with a doctor why he or she is a good candidate for this medication, and make sure they understand the correct dosage instructions.

Next: Worrying too little