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

It's not type A influenza then which is what tamiflu works to inhibit.

Having said that, on day 4 of tamiflu. Still feeling crappy, but at least I'm functional. Tylenol helps with the chills. Lozengers and gargling for sore throat.

I totally hear you OP. Ignore the haters?. We all just had the flu and it sucked. Yes we lived but could have done without 2 weeks of illness. Just wanted to chime in that it you can't get tamiflu there's some good studies on the effectiveness of elderberry. They may have the syrup at whole foods. Our Walgreens had it in pill form next to the flu meds. Good luck and healthy wishes!

Just to chime in with my family's recent experience in case it's helpful to anyone. We are out of town right now. My 12yo dd tested pos for flu at urgent care yesterday. It was within the first 48 hours, and the doc there put her on Tamiflu (she had been horribly nauseated with the flu, vomited for 24 hours, no eating, couldn't keep down any liquids) and Zofran. She is MUCH better sfter 24 hours.

The urgent care doc suggested we should all go on prophylactic tamiflu and prescribed it for me (I was the only one he prescribed it for bc I was there in person with her and they were closing for new year's eve). I'm taking it and feeling slightly gross but okay. I guess it could be a side effect or flu or something else.

I called our pediatricians in Falls Church today and they said that as a matter of policy they would not prescribe prophylactic tamiflu for my other kids (a tween and a teen). My DH called his internist in DC and was prescribed prophylactic tamiflu.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Of course I got the flu shot. My whole family did. We still got the flu. Why does everyone on this board assume that if you get the flu you did not get your shot?

Over 50% of the flu types diagnosed this season were not covered by the vaccine. The vaccine is prepared in advance, so they have to guess what types to cover. They missed pretty badly this year.

Drive round to. Every CVS in the DMV, stand in the entrance, and scream:

WHO DO I HAVE TO FUCK TO GET SOME TAMIFLU?

On Monday I was in the Fairfax ER for other reasons, and was told Fairfax hospital is out of tamiflu

Friends who live out near Chantilly were able to get "preventative" Tamiflu from their doctor in the area or from an urgent care. They also got the shot and got the flu last year.

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Of course I got the flu shot. My whole family did. We still got the flu. Why does everyone on this board assume that if you get the flu you did not get your shot?

FYI there is a shortage of Tamiflu in the area. My daughter got some on Monday (after a positive flu test) and her doctor rattled off six pharmacies that were out -- she knew of one that still had some, but they expected to run out before noon.

So, please make sure you really need it before requesting it prophylactically.

Got mine at Patient First (DH had the flu) when I was coming down with sore throat and cough - kids' pediatrician called in Rx for them in order to keep newborn as flu-free as possible. DH and I were the only ones that came down with it - kids are good!

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

WRONG! The flu can produce vomit and diarrhea. Read the cdc site to all who keep saying this. Positive flu in family and vomit. Not stomach bug gross amounts but still vomit.

I know multiple people who have gotten prescriptions for tamiflu prophylactically (sp). One got it at urgent care and one by a family practice dr - I might drag your dh out for another swab and get him
Tamiflu and ask for a prescription for yourself. I had the flu once in college - it was so awful / I completely understand

I know multiple people who have gotten prescriptions for tamiflu prophylactically (sp). One got it at urgent care and one by a family practice dr - I might drag your dh out for another swab and get him
Tamiflu and ask for a prescription for yourself. I had the flu once in college - it was so awful / I completely understand

Sorry for the double-post, but I'm the OP. And I'm not an amateur at all. We've got a positive flu test, plus the kids have had the stomach virus that's been going around. So yes, vomit plus flu. As I said, I've been out of work for quite a while taking care of sick kids.
Those of you that are being less than compassionate probably do not have 3 kids in public school. During a year in which the flumist apparently did not work.

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.