Where to get tested for swine flu/and tamiflu?

[Anonymous]

Sorry this might seem silly, but I think I have swine flu and my only Dr. is my OB/GYN. For obvious reasons I don't want to go in to her office. My husband's regular doctor isn't seeing new patients...I am going to try a random dr recommended by my ob, however I am not hopeful that they will see me (a new patient) on such short notice. any other options out there – like minute clinics (I am in MD)? pediatrician's office really discourages treating adults but will try really hard if there is no other option.

[Anonymous]

The emergency room? Just guessing

[Anonymous]

Do not go to the emergency room unless it's an...
EMERGENCY!
Testing for swine flu does not qualify. Trouble breathing, fever of 107, yes. Testing, no.
OP, try the person your OB recommended. Maybe someone on this forum can give you the name of a Dr. in MD. Or yes, call the closest minute clinic and see if they do testing and give tamiflu prescriptions.

[Anonymous]

Minute Clinics are prepared to treat H1N1 flu. You should expect them to follow CDC guidelines for treatment with Tamiflu f ro people at at risk only including those with severe symptoms or those in high risk categories.

Treatment with influenza antiviral drugs is generally not needed for most people in good health.
The CDC has asked healthcare providers to use antiviral medicines only for people who have risks of getting very sick from the flu in order to keep the H1N1 virus from becoming resistant to the medicine. Persons at high risk for complications include:

Children under 2 years of age
Adults 65 years of age or older
Those with certain chronic conditions, such as lung disease (including asthma), heart disease, kidney disease, sickle cell disease, neuromuscular or neurologic disease, and diabetes mellitus
Those who suffer from compromised immune systems
Pregnant women
Children and adolescents younger than 19 years of age who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy
Our masters prepared nurse practitioners and physician assistants follow the CDC recommendations and can write prescriptions for antiviral medicine when medically appropriate


http://www.minuteclinic.com/flu/h1n1/faqs/

[Anonymous]

Also the drs or nurses at a minute clinic could prescribe antibiotics if appropriate.

[Anonymous]

Op here. I should have noted that I’d prefer not to go to the emergency room unless I am in a seriously bad state. Philosophically I agree with PP; emergencies rooms are for emergencies, which is why I am asking where else to go. Also, I recently took DH to the emergency room, per his Dr's recommendation, for a 104.5 fever and their suggestion was that I make him chicken soup – they did no testing and he was totally incapacitated for 4 days after so we have no idea what the problem was – not going back unless I have no other choice!

[Anonymous]

OP again. Thanks 20:31, I was complaining about the ER's chicken soup prescription for my DH so I didn’t see your post until now. Thanks again for the link!

[Anonymous]

My OBs office will test you and treat you, but you have to tell them you are coming and come in a separate entrance. Check with your OB's office before you assume they aren't a resource, especially if you are pregnant!

[Anonymous]

Agree with PP, and please don't go anywhere that you risk infecting others until you call ahead and see what precautions they recommend. Many doctors, hospitals, and clinics are using separate entrances orproviding masks. If you think you have it, it would be really irresponsible to walk into a crowded er, office, etc just to get tested.

[Anonymous]

I should also add I've heard repeatedly that no one is really being tested anymore. CDC doesn't have the capacity to run all the tests, so doctors are only sending them for patients who are seriously ill - ie hospitalized. Otherwise most docs are assuming anything that sounds like flu is h1n1. Many are getting a tamiflu prescription over the phone without being see by anyone just by describing symptoms. Have you used the official symptom checker yet? there's a link at www.emory.edu. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Night Time Pediatrics, they test and see adult patients, not just children.

[Anonymous]

where do you live? there are a few GPs that do take new patients, maybe someone can suggest one.

minute clinics are good. BCBS has a good nurse hotline.

agree that no one is really going to test you unless you are a severe case and need hospitalization. so do what you would do with the regular flu -- if its so bad that you need medical care, get it, but if not, no need to.

there are also many urgent cares around.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My OBs office will test you and treat you, but you have to tell them you are coming and come in a separate entrance. Check with your OB's office before you assume they aren't a resource, especially if you are pregnant!

Yeah my OB does my annual physical and can test me/order tests for anything.
You should at least ask if they would see you at a separate entrance, maybe after hours, in full contamination dress