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When do you get tamiflu?
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Anonymous
| My son just came down with what seems like the H1N1 virus (the doc won't see him, so we can't confirm...). Should I ask for tamiflu? My in-laws called me more times than I care to mention to pressure me to get it for him-- does it really make a huge difference?Thanks |
Anonymous
| Don't get it unless he's in a priority group. If everyone takes it, the virus will become resistant and the drug will stop working. |
Anonymous
Is that a scientific fact? |
Anonymous
| Yes, using tamiflu will in turn create tamiflu resistance. You can look at the CDC's site to see their recommendations -- they recommend only those in high risk groups or displaying severe illness. |
Anonymous
I know what the CDC's recommendations are, but I believe they are based on the fact that if everyone who got H1N1 flu took antivirals, we'd quickly run out. I was asking if it was a scientific fact that Tamiflu use created Tamiflu resistence. Because last time I looked, no one was sure what had caused Tamiflu resistence in seasonal flu. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/09/health/09flu.html?_r=1
Again -- this was last year's flu season -- Jan 2009 -- and talking about seasonal flu, not swine/H1N1. |
Anonymous
|
Not the OP, but I think OP is likely concerned about what is best for her child. Its not like anyone else cares about Tamiflu resistance or shortage. I know people that are taking it "as a precaution" who are not in the high risk group.
People act like they are worried about "the good of the masses" but when it comes down to it, you want what is best for YOUR family. Anyone saying different is LYING. |
Anonymous
| OP here--actually I do care about the good of the masses and would hate to contribute to the flu resistance. I did call my doc and they said they don't recommend tamiflu for anyone not in the risk group, and that it actually dos not relieve the normal symptoms that much. They also don't wan to give it to my 2-year-old as a precaution. So, end of the story! |
Anonymous
| yes, our ped said the same -- it does not help that very much and has only shown to have an effect for the risk groups. |
Anonymous
|
Our pediatrician reported to us she has only given Tamiflu to 5 children in her practice and the side effects where lots of throwing up. She said all 5 children had the side effects. So the cure might be worse than the flu. My child was the 6th in her practice to get Tamiflu (he is high risk) and he didn't have throwing up - at least related to the Tamiflu, he did have throwing up from the coughing (he is 2). He still had the flu for a full 7 days. And because of his medical issues, the weakness from the flu remains a week later although he is improving every day.
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Anonymous
| OP again--DS is fever-free on day 4 of the flu, without tamiflu, so so far i hasn't been that bad. Hope it will stay that way. |
Anonymous
| My brother is a ped, and his son has had a 104 degree fever due to h1n1 for over five days now. My brother is very worried about him, and says that watching him suffer has been one of the hardest things he has had to do in his life. But he did NOT give him tamiflu - out of a concern for the public good. He is very worried that the virus will develop tamiflu resistance. He says there are horrifyingly sick kids in the hospital and the only thing that will keep them from dying is that we currently have a few anti-viral drugs available to us. |
Anonymous
Relieved to read a number of other posts and have my faith restored in folks. Good of the masses is also code for prudent public health practices. It is not necessarily a bunch of folks trying to be high-minded and self-righteous. My husband and I argued today about getting Tamiflu for our DC. He finally called the doc - who said what I had been saying - kid doesn't have chronic underlying condition and is not exhibiting "emergency" symptoms. |