do you go to see a doctor for a flu?

[lsyorke]

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!!!

Contrary to popular belief and marketing, Tamiflu will not act to prevent the flu. It will only work if the virus is present. Taking it to prevent the flu is a waste of money and uses up the supply for no reason.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32737387/

 

[MIGrandma]

No, I don't go either. I drug up with over-the-counter stuff if I need to, and just rest/sleep, try to drink a lot of liquids, stay warm, etc.

Now if it was bad enough that I was vomiting constantly for a couple of days and couldn't even keep water down, I would probably call the doctor. I've heard of people needing to be hooked up to an IV for dehydration in cases like that.

 

[stsomewhere]

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.

SAme here. Kids need a Dr. note for school.

 

[aprilgail2]

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).


Hope this helps.

I ended up with a secondary infection that I am glad I went tothe Dr for and they perscribed antibiotics...they don't give you that for justthe flu since they don't do anything for that. My daughter has H1N1 and goes to the Dr daily for this week to make sure her lungs are ok since she has asthma and it was effecting her breathing. We both did take tamiflu and felt beter quickly with zero side effects!

My daughters schools policy is no school for 24 hours after the fever but she is out the whole week because the flu is contagious 7 days after the onset even if no fever is present so I didn't want her to contaminate the entire school.

 

[Wonderlandmom]

Contrary to popular belief and marketing, Tamiflu will not act to prevent the flu. It will only work if the virus is present. Taking it to prevent the flu is a waste of money and uses up the supply for no reason.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32737387/

That is not what the article says. It is recommending that it only be used in certain cases. It does not say it will not work to prevent the flu. It can and will. They had a few breakthrough cases that did not work to prevent it.

This article is 2 months old also. They have changed recommendations again a couple weeks ago and actually released a Government stockpile of childrens tamiflu.

Here is CDC page on taking preventively:

http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1flu/antiviral.htm

Who should receive antiviral drugs for prevention of influenza?
Antiviral chemoprophylaxis generally should be reserved for people at higher risk for influenza-related complications who have had contact with someone likely to have been infected with influenza. As an alternative to chemoprophylaxis, clinicians can also choose to counsel people at higher risk for influenza-related complications about the early signs and symptoms of influenza and advise them to immediately contact a health care provider for evaluation and possible early treatment if clinical signs or symptoms develop.


Which antiviral drugs should health care providers prescribe for chemophrophylaxis of 2009 H1N1?

For antiviral chemoprophylaxis of 2009 H1N1 influenza virus infection, either oseltamivir or zanamivir are recommended. Currently, circulating 2009 H1N1 viruses are susceptible to oseltamivir and zanamivir, but resistant to amantadine

What is the recommended duration for antiviral chemoprophylaxis if used following exposure to someone with influenza?

Duration of antiviral chemoprophylaxis post-exposure is 10 days after the last known exposure.

How effective are antiviral drugs at preventing the flu?

When used to prevent the flu, antiviral drugs are about 70% to 90% effective against susceptible viruses (i.e., viruses that are not resistant to the antiviral medication). It’s important to remember that flu antiviral drugs are not a substitute for getting a flu vaccine.

More info on the page.

 

[nighthawks]

Not allways, but I feel its now MUST I visit.