H1N1 flu test

[Anonymous]

My DS (9 months old) is beeing treated for a high fever. They did a flu test at the ER, which came back negative, but recommended that he start on Tamiflu anyway. The ER doc said the flu test only has a 10-70% accuracy rate for negative results -- yes, you read that right. So how am I supposed to know for sure if he has H1N1? This doesn't change our treatment for him, but does matter in terms of his exposure to other people and if I should bother getting him his second H1N1 shot.

[Anonymous]

Our ped. said that Tamiflu was only good in conjunction with the H1N1 virus and that the seasonal flu was resistant to it.

I guess the doc. was basing his/her recommendation on the 10-70% accuracy rate, which really is NOT comforting b/c of the large span. But better to be safe than sorry, I suppose

So your son did receive the first vaccination, correct? If the test is that inaccurate, then get the second shot - assuming he didn't have any negative reaction to the first.

[Anonymous]

The standard of care at this time is that your son must be fever free x 24 hours before he should be exposed to anyone and he should get the second H1N1 vaccine regardless since the testing is so inaccurate. These are both true regardless whether his recent illness was the H1N1 flu or not.

To answer your question simply - no there is no way for you to be sure and it shouldn't matter anyway.

[Anonymous]

Be careful with the Tamiflu. My 9mo litterally flipped out while on it.

[Anonymous]

A). Get the second shot if you can. You really do not know if he has it or one of the other bugs.

B). The numbers about the test are not as simple as one might think. This post goes into se of the math behind the rapid test.
http://scienceblogs.com/effectmeasure/2009/11/the_rapid_flu_test_and_coin_fl.php

[Anonymous]

I agree with being wary of Tamiflu in children. Our ped says they only give it to children who have a history of wheezing/breathing trouble. He said the side effects are pretty harsh on little kids. Some of my friends who got it for their kids had to stop after a couple of doses because of the side effects.