Tamiflu -- how can I get some?

[Anonymous]

My child tested positive for flu ... the doctor said it's too late to give her Tamiflu and won't prescribe for me as I'm not a patient. My husband is passed-out sick, and the urgent care clinic sent him home without Tamiflu because his swab showed up negative (I am 99% sure that this is a false negative, given how sick he is and given my daughter's positive test). I've got calls into my doctor who is not returning them....
have others been able to get prophylactic Tamiflu prescriptions from their primary care doctors? Or from an urgent care clinic? Is anyone selling it on a street corner (just kidding, mostly...)?
If anyone else has any suggestions for preventative measures, I'll take them -- I'm a little desperate to keep from getting sick, for various reasons, including that I've been out of work for 2 weeks taking care of other people.

[Anonymous]

It doesn't work so don't bother.

[Anonymous]

I have something to suggest other then Tamiflu. It's highly effective the for avoiding the flu, without annoying and dangerous side effects.

It's called hygiene.

Wash your hands. Often. And keep washing them. Wear a mask if you're terrified, or get your family to. Clean your house - door knobs, water faucets, light switches and remote controls. Don't share utensils, cups, or towels. Wash anything used in hot, soapy water as soon as possible. Better if you want to add bleach or sanitize through the dishwasher.

Really, that's it.

[Anonymous]

Prophylactic Tamiflu is generally not given to healthy adults. You will likely get the flu, and you will likely be just fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have something to suggest other then Tamiflu. It's highly effective the for avoiding the flu, without annoying and dangerous side effects.

It's called hygiene.

Wash your hands. Often. And keep washing them. Wear a mask if you're terrified, or get your family to. Clean your house - door knobs, water faucets, light switches and remote controls. Don't share utensils, cups, or towels. Wash anything used in hot, soapy water as soon as possible. Better if you want to add bleach or sanitize through the dishwasher.

Really, that's it.

+1 Clorox wipes on door handles and everything said above. Don't forget your car steering wheel/door handles and gear shift. And house phone and especially screens (iPhone etc) because they stay warm and get very germs.

Also google this because I may have it backwards, but I believe contrary to "common sense" the flu transmits more in dry environments than in humid ones--it floats better. Just check this on google, but if so, get out the humidifier.

[Anonymous]

I'm sort of a hygiene freak, and I've been doing all this, but the kids and husband all got it anyway. It doesn't help that I'm the one to clean up all the vomit, wash the sheets, and the baby keeps coughing directly in my face. I'm sure she wouldn't wear a face mask, and all the stuff I've read says its pointless for the healthy person to wear a mask -- it's the sick people who need to. Plus I'm asthmatic and its really hard for me to breathe with a face mask on.
To the poster who said -- you'll get the flu and be fine ---- no offense, but go jump in a lake. I can't believe another mom would say that to another. I've been out of work for 2 weeks taking care of sick children, plus I don't want to give this to my 90 year old parents, who really might not be fine.
I've been reading the NIH studies, and it seems that the proven effectiveness is actually better as a prophylactic, rather than a curative.

[Anonymous]

I was given it as a prophylactic but only because I was pregnant. And you're right, OP, it works best that way. DH was not given any tamiflu, but our pediatrician told me to call my OB and get a prescription. She did not say to have DH get one, so I assume PP who said that it isn't given to healthy adults is correct.

MIT had horrible side effects though so I stopped taking it. And then got the flu and it was horrible. Anyone telling you that you will be just fine has never had the actual flu.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm sort of a hygiene freak, and I've been doing all this, but the kids and husband all got it anyway. It doesn't help that I'm the one to clean up all the vomit, wash the sheets, and the baby keeps coughing directly in my face. I'm sure she wouldn't wear a face mask, and all the stuff I've read says its pointless for the healthy person to wear a mask -- it's the sick people who need to. Plus I'm asthmatic and its really hard for me to breathe with a face mask on.
To the poster who said -- you'll get the flu and be fine ---- no offense, but go jump in a lake. I can't believe another mom would say that to another. I've been out of work for 2 weeks taking care of sick children, plus I don't want to give this to my 90 year old parents, who really might not be fine.
I've been reading the NIH studies, and it seems that the proven effectiveness is actually better as a prophylactic, rather than a curative.

Ok...you need Xanax, not Tamiflu.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was given it as a prophylactic but only because I was pregnant. And you're right, OP, it works best that way. DH was not given any tamiflu, but our pediatrician told me to call my OB and get a prescription. She did not say to have DH get one, so I assume PP who said that it isn't given to healthy adults is correct.

MIT had horrible side effects though so I stopped taking it. And then got the flu and it was horrible. Anyone telling you that you will be just fine has never had the actual flu.

99% of people who have the flu come out the other side as good as new. That doesn't make it any less miserable in the meantime, but it's still the truth.

[Anonymous]

Wow, NP here, just to thank the variously sanctimonious and sarcastic posters. You've brightened the world with your words.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm sort of a hygiene freak, and I've been doing all this, but the kids and husband all got it anyway. It doesn't help that I'm the one to clean up all the vomit, wash the sheets, and the baby keeps coughing directly in my face. I'm sure she wouldn't wear a face mask, and all the stuff I've read says its pointless for the healthy person to wear a mask -- it's the sick people who need to. Plus I'm asthmatic and its really hard for me to breathe with a face mask on.
To the poster who said -- you'll get the flu and be fine ---- no offense, but go jump in a lake. I can't believe another mom would say that to another. I've been out of work for 2 weeks taking care of sick children, plus I don't want to give this to my 90 year old parents, who really might not be fine.
I've been reading the NIH studies, and it seems that the proven effectiveness is actually better as a prophylactic, rather than a curative.

Ok...you need Xanax, not Tamiflu.

Compassion's not your strong point, is it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm sort of a hygiene freak, and I've been doing all this, but the kids and husband all got it anyway. It doesn't help that I'm the one to clean up all the vomit, wash the sheets, and the baby keeps coughing directly in my face. I'm sure she wouldn't wear a face mask, and all the stuff I've read says its pointless for the healthy person to wear a mask -- it's the sick people who need to. Plus I'm asthmatic and its really hard for me to breathe with a face mask on.
To the poster who said -- you'll get the flu and be fine ---- no offense, but go jump in a lake. I can't believe another mom would say that to another. I've been out of work for 2 weeks taking care of sick children, plus I don't want to give this to my 90 year old parents, who really might not be fine.
I've been reading the NIH studies, and it seems that the proven effectiveness is actually better as a prophylactic, rather than a curative.

Ok...you need Xanax, not Tamiflu.

Compassion's not your strong point, is it?

She's freaking the hell out. Catastrophizing . Lashing out. This is not a healthy train of thought.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm sort of a hygiene freak, and I've been doing all this, but the kids and husband all got it anyway. It doesn't help that I'm the one to clean up all the vomit, wash the sheets, and the baby keeps coughing directly in my face. I'm sure she wouldn't wear a face mask, and all the stuff I've read says its pointless for the healthy person to wear a mask -- it's the sick people who need to. Plus I'm asthmatic and its really hard for me to breathe with a face mask on.
To the poster who said -- you'll get the flu and be fine ---- no offense, but go jump in a lake. I can't believe another mom would say that to another. I've been out of work for 2 weeks taking care of sick children, plus I don't want to give this to my 90 year old parents, who really might not be fine.
I've been reading the NIH studies, and it seems that the proven effectiveness is actually better as a prophylactic, rather than a curative.

Ok...you need Xanax, not Tamiflu.

Compassion's not your strong point, is it?

She's freaking the hell out. Catastrophizing . Lashing out. This is not a healthy train of thought.

??? She is just asking for tamiflu and explaining why regular preventative measures are going to be ineffective when everyone in the household has it. She has also missed work. I just had the flu for 10 days and it was very exhausting and mentally depressing, so please be quiet if no kind words.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was given it as a prophylactic but only because I was pregnant. And you're right, OP, it works best that way. DH was not given any tamiflu, but our pediatrician told me to call my OB and get a prescription. She did not say to have DH get one, so I assume PP who said that it isn't given to healthy adults is correct.

MIT had horrible side effects though so I stopped taking it. And then got the flu and it was horrible. Anyone telling you that you will be just fine has never had the actual flu.

If you were pregnant, why didn't you get the flu shot? All pregnant women are supposed to get one.

[Anonymous]

OP if you're "cleaning up vomit" it's not the flu. What kind of amateur are you?