do you go to see a doctor for a flu?

[fac]

I am not sure whether I am thinking it right..and like to see how others have done...

My experience has been that when we have a flu there is not much that the doctor can do, no medication and no suggestions that I have not already heard.
Recently, my family took turn getting sick, first I went to my doctor who sent me home to take a rest. Then last week it was DD11, the nurse petitioner again just sent her home, asking her not to go back to school at least 24 hours after the last motrin. Today, my youngest is sick, has a fever, I gave her motrin, used wet towel to lower her temperature, and cancelled all her activities. I brought her to see the doctor anyway, but the same old thing..I am not complaining that there is not much a doctor can do, but I am just wondering whether people go to see the doctor.

 

[Calliaz]

I did not go or take my son when we all had the flu a few weeks ago. My husband went when he first got sick because he also was having breathing problems. He got antibiotics for a secondary infection. I took my son after he had gotten better and then relapsed (again, a secondary infection). Finally, I went after I still wasn't better 13 days later. I had pneumonia.

I think it's fine to just stay home, push fluids, and take tylenol if you are sick and there are no complicating factors like breathing problems or preexisting conditions. If you or your child starts being overly lethargic or there are changes, it's time to call the doctor.

 

[allyphoe]

When DD was 6 months old and had classic flu symptoms, we called the pediatrician who sent us to the hospital lab for the rapid flu test, then prescribed Tamiflu to the well members of the household, thereby increasing the odds that at least someone would be well enough to take care of the sickies. So I've sort of seen the doctor for the flu.

Having had a course of preventative Tamiflu, I personally would not choose to take it as a treatment to save a day or two of sickness. IMHO the side effects for a week of Tamiflu were worse than a day of the flu-like illness I had this summer. I might take it as a preventative, and if I wanted a preventative, I'd need to see a doctor to get the prescription, so would go to the doctor. As far as I know, though, in my area they're not giving Tamiflu as a preventative for H1N1 unless you're high risk (which I'm not).

So no, I wouldn't waste my time or money on a pointless doctor's visit. DoctorGoogle works just fine for "get plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids" type advice, and doesn't cost nearly as much.

DD6 has been to the doctor for complications of chickenpox (secondary bacterial infections diagnosed as impetigo and cellulitis), 2 sinus infections that hadn't resolved after a month of watchful waiting (the second of which took two courses of antibiotics to clear), and the above-mentioned flu. Oh, and an x-ray to rule out a fractured elbow when she was still crying in pain 8 hours after banging it hard (just a bad bruise). Every other sickness she's had has eventually gone away on its own.

 

[ma2jr]

Normally no, but with the new H1N1 pandemic... i'd go.

 

[Rachie]

Okay-here's my input & I'm an ER nurse.

If you can keep yourself hydrated & manage your fever (Ibuprofen/Tylenol) then there is nothing the doctors can do for you. Flu is a VIRUS- translation antibiotics will not do anything for you. H1N1 can be treated with Tamiflu, but the ER doctors don't write for that, they just allow the virus to run its course & treat the symptoms (Vomiting/body aches).

If you can not control your fever or maintain hydration due to vomiting, then yes, you should go.

Keep in mind the flu is droplet spread- cough/sneeze/kiss/sharing utensils, any way spit can be swapped.

Hope this helps.

 

[fac]

Normally no, but with the new H1N1 pandemic... i'd go.

that's one reason I thought we should go, but none of the doctor checked/tested for H1N1.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

When you are feeling that bad why would you want to go out to the Dr office where you might end up sitting for along time. Only to be told to get so rest. I would agree if you can't control the fever or vomitting then go.


We take an over the counter med call Osscillium which has always made us better in 24hrs. It's expensive but it works fast!

Wash hands often and use hand sanatizers. I have a bottle of Purell attached to my purse and brief case as does my husband. We keep one in the car too.

 

[pampam]

Tamiflu will only work if it is administered in the first 48 hours. Most people can fight off a flu with the sensible advise already mentioned. Fluids, rest, and taking care of yourself is about all you can do. If you are seriously dehydrated, of course you will need an iv, but in most cases stay home. Don't swamp the emergency room, if you do not have special needs.

 

[Crystal0608]

Yes, I did this week three times. Sat-ER-he had shakes/convulsions there b/c his temp spiked and at home I would have flipped out. Tues-chest pains, coughing stuff back to dr to make sure its not pnemonia and had bloodwork done. Our school requires a dr's note for 3 days or more absence and since he did have H1N1 I'm glad I took him. I took dd Thurs to peds with sore throat and other similar symptoms and it was only tonsilitis but she needed antibiotics. So, I prefer to go to be on the safe side.

 

[OceanAnnie]

It depends. Sometimes it's hard to know what you have. I thought my kids *might* have the flu, I but wasn't sure. It ended up being strep. So a trip to the dr. was the right thing to do for us.

 

[Nicsmom]

My pedi asked us to stay home when my son had flu like symptoms. She said there wasn't anything that they could do and didn't want to infect other patients. He only had it for 3 days. He did not want to go to the dr because he felt so bad. So, I just made sure that he was hydrated. I understand the reasoning but now I don't know if he had a viral infection or the seasonal flu or H1n1. This makes it difficult in my decision to vaccinate or not??

 

[PatsGirl]

We generally do not see a doctor unless there are symptoms that are uncommon or at a point that I feel are dangerous (not getting fever down, that sort of thing). I also don't medicate DD very often and only when absolutely necessary. I have family members who rush to the doctor for every sniffle and some doctors will prescribe antibiotics for mild upper respiratory infections and such. One of the reasons health insurance is so costly is because so many people need to have a doctor reassure them that its just a cold or flu or bad bruise

But...I did take DD to the ER in June when I think she had H1N1 but they refused to test her and told me to take her home and keep her hydrated, etc. She had a fever for days on end and that nasty cough lasted 10 days. I had never seen her so sick and we were just getting info about this flu so I thought better safe than sorry!

 

[crazy4theworld]

I am a mom of 3, one of whom has had H1N1. He had some issues with it because of some other health issues (asthma, allergies, etc.). When I took him, the dr. said that the other 2 could let it just run its course if they contracted it, since they don't have any other medical issues. Fortunately, neither one of them got it.

Ann

 

[WishIwerethere]

Okay-here's my input & I'm an ER nurse.

If you can keep yourself hydrated & manage your fever (Ibuprofen/Tylenol) then there is nothing the doctors can do for you. Flu is a VIRUS- translation antibiotics will not do anything for you. H1N1 can be treated with Tamiflu, but the ER doctors don't write for that, they just allow the virus to run its course & treat the symptoms (Vomiting/body aches).

If you can not control your fever or maintain hydration due to vomiting, then yes, you should go.

Keep in mind the flu is droplet spread- cough/sneeze/kiss/sharing utensils, any way spit can be swapped.

Hope this helps.

I just had to take my mother to the ER last night. She developed severe flu symptoms three hours after getting a seasonal flu shot. Turns out she coincidentally contracted the flu -- it was not a reaction to the shot. ER doc DID prescribe Tamiflu for her and we filled the prescription at 2 a.m. She's used it before and thought it was great.

 

[JamesMom]

I took my kids to the doctor for flu for one reason: the doctors note excusing them from school.
My school distrist has a strict attendence policy, but for doctor's appointments and this year for flu - the absences for flu (specifically - other illnesses will count) will NOT count towards the annual maximum. I plan on taking the kids out for 5 days of school in May for Disney and need the extra days. My kids are in special ed preschool (still subject to attendence policy per public school) and first grade. My oldest was out 5 days for flue and my youngest 3.

Nothing the doctor could do - no Tamiflu - just bed rest and fluids. Only needed the note.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

I was asking myself this same question, I've talked to parents in my area who have said "my ds/dd had swine flu and it wasn't bad at all, their temp didn't even reach 100..." but then go on to talk about their doctor's visit. I don't understand the point of taking them to the doctor, is it just to get a diagnosis? Our schools don't have that strict of an attendance policy like the pp mentioned.

My 5yo ds was sick a couple weeks ago, he had a fever and cold symptoms, but he wasn't having trouble breathing and was still hydrated so he stayed home and waited it out and was fine after about 5 days. My 12yo ds was sick this week, no fever but vomiting and diarrhea with swollen lymph nodes for 5 days. He was able to drink so he wasn't dehydrated, but I took him to the dr. because he's had these same symptoms before and it was strep. It ended up being a stomach bug and he's fine now, but I still feel better having taken him (plus he needed an ENT referall for an ear issue he's been having).

It was a pain, though, because there were no appts. available so when I called they told me to bring him in as a walk in, we waited two hours to be seen. So this is a sore subject with me, if there's no underlying medical condition or other issue such as dehydration or breathing problems, you (general you) don't need to take your child to the doctor just to find out if it was swine flu!

 

[OceanAnnie]

I was asking myself this same question, I've talked to parents in my area who have said "my ds/dd had swine flu and it wasn't bad at all, their temp didn't even reach 100..." but then go on to talk about their doctor's visit. I don't understand the point of taking them to the doctor, is it just to get a diagnosis? Our schools don't have that strict of an attendance policy like the pp mentioned.

My 5yo ds was sick a couple weeks ago, he had a fever and cold symptoms, but he wasn't having trouble breathing and was still hydrated so he stayed home and waited it out and was fine after about 5 days. My 12yo ds was sick this week, no fever but vomiting and diarrhea with swollen lymph nodes for 5 days. He was able to drink so he wasn't dehydrated, but I took him to the dr. because he's had these same symptoms before and it was strep. It ended up being a stomach bug and he's fine now, but I still feel better having taken him (plus he needed an ENT referall for an ear issue he's been having).

It was a pain, though, because there were no appts. available so when I called they told me to bring him in as a walk in, we waited two hours to be seen. So this is a sore subject with me, if there's no underlying medical condition or other issue such as dehydration or breathing problems, you (general you) don't need to take your child to the doctor just to find out if it was swine flu!

Me too. Same scenario with the wait. After the 2 hour wait, we saw a nurse practitioner not one of the doctors. I would have rather seen the doctor, but in the end it worked out.

 

[Mom3girls]

When DD was 6 months old and had classic flu symptoms, we called the pediatrician who sent us to the hospital lab for the rapid flu test, then prescribed Tamiflu to the well members of the household, thereby increasing the odds that at least someone would be well enough to take care of the sickies. So I've sort of seen the doctor for the flu.

Having had a course of preventative Tamiflu, I personally would not choose to take it as a treatment to save a day or two of sickness. IMHO the side effects for a week of Tamiflu were worse than a day of the flu-like illness I had this summer. I might take it as a preventative, and if I wanted a preventative, I'd need to see a doctor to get the prescription, so would go to the doctor. As far as I know, though, in my area they're not giving Tamiflu as a preventative for H1N1 unless you're high risk (which I'm not).

So no, I wouldn't waste my time or money on a pointless doctor's visit. DoctorGoogle works just fine for "get plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids" type advice, and doesn't cost nearly as much.

DD6 has been to the doctor for complications of chickenpox (secondary bacterial infections diagnosed as impetigo and cellulitis), 2 sinus infections that hadn't resolved after a month of watchful waiting (the second of which took two courses of antibiotics to clear), and the above-mentioned flu. Oh, and an x-ray to rule out a fractured elbow when she was still crying in pain 8 hours after banging it hard (just a bad bruise). Every other sickness she's had has eventually gone away on its own.

Just curious what the side effects were for preventative Tamiflu? My husband worked closely with someone last Mon. and Tues. On Thursday come to find out that the guys 7yr old is in the hospital and has tested positive for H1N1. Normally I wouldn't worry, but my husband had his spleen removed years ago and has a hard time fighting off illnesses. He is suppossed to get flu shots and pneuamonia shots yearly. We notified the dr and they prescribed the Tamiflu for him. Next day my husband had to work along with the same guy in close quarters!!!

 

[mjkacmom]

I only bring in my kids if there is something that can be done. If I suspect an ear infection or strep, I'll bring them in (after a few days of symtoms). If I suspected the flu, I'd call my pediatrician, and see if they were giving tamiflu. If not, I wouldn't bring them in.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

One other thought about this, if your doctor isn't going to do anything then you just took your child into a peds office and possibly infected all of the other people in that office for no reason. I know some offices have a separate room for contagious children, ours does not.