https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 22 May 2026 07:58:09 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tamiflu-1/page/2#post-2804453 Thu, 15 Feb 2018 13:15:51 +0000 2PeasinaPod 2804453@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our 5 year old exhibited flu symptoms on Monday morning and tested positive for flu A on Tuesday morning. I started him on Tamiflu. He had his flu shot, and while his symptoms are mild, he does have a fluctuating fever. My thought is that I would take it for myself, so why would I keep it from my son. I have the same thoughts about Tylenol and Motrin. If I have a headache, I take Motrin. LO had a fever and told me his neck, shoulder, and back muscles really hurt, so I gave him Motrin, and he's back to normal. I don't want him to suffer anymore than I want to suffer through pain. </p> <p>As an aside, he hasn't had any adverse reaction to Tamiflu. He hates the taste of it, but he takes it. We're keeping him out of school all week. I don't want to be responsible for getting anyone else sick. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tamiflu-1/page/2#post-2804423 Thu, 15 Feb 2018 11:59:49 +0000 JennyLayneAZ 2804423@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Twolittlemen: Agreed! Kids are amazing!</p> <p>On another note, my dad also had the flu (between DD and me getting it), and he didn't have a flu shot this year, but took the Tamiflu, and was better within a couple days. I think I got the short end of the stick here lol </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tamiflu-1/page/2#post-2804420 Thu, 15 Feb 2018 11:57:18 +0000 Twolittlemen 2804420@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JennyLayneAZ: my son still has a cough but the dr said it could last up to two weeks and was not contagious without an accompanying fever. And honestly it’s not a bad or frequent cough. We’ve had worse coughs when he hasn’t actually had anything. </p> <p>Glad your daughter is better and hope you feel better soon. I think everything is worse when adults get it. Kids are AMAZING. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tamiflu-1/page/2#post-2804417 Thu, 15 Feb 2018 11:52:45 +0000 JennyLayneAZ 2804417@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Twolittlemen: I had the flu last week and took the Tamiflu, and I'm still coughing (diagnosed on 2/5) and have a runny nose, and headache. My daughter (21 months) had the flu a couple weeks ago, took the first dose, vomited it up two hours later, and was fine within a week. I don't think the Tamiflu did anything for me, honestly. We all had our flu shots too :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tamiflu-1/page/2#post-2804415 Thu, 15 Feb 2018 11:46:40 +0000 Twolittlemen 2804415@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just wanted to update. My some woke up Thursday with flu symptoms after being fine the night before. I took him to the doctor and had a confirmed positive flu test. We declined tamiflu. My son had a fever all day Thursday and intermittently Friday. His fever peaked at 104 Friday night. After that he no longer ran a fever. He was tired Saturday and fine Sunday. He had been fever free for 48 hours and returned to school Monday. No one else in the house caught the flu. </p> <p>So he was essentially “over” the flu within 72 hours of getting it. If I had given him tamiflu I would no doubt believe it was the tamiflu. But within 48 hours his immune system was able to fight off the infection without the use of antivirals. Everyone in our house was able to avoid catching the flu (from him, at least) without antivirals. Although much handwashing, sanitizing, and sibling separation was required. </p> <p>Just wanted to put this out there in case anyone else was on the fence. Just because you have the flu doesn’t mean you’re automatically doomed to 2 weeks of misery or serious complications if you choose to not use antivirals. Our bodies can do much more than we give them credit for. In my son’s case he responded just as well without as he may have with, perhaps better because there were no chances of drug side effects. </p> <p>Disclaimers:<br /> We all had preventative flu shots prior to my son’s sickness.<br /> I realize not everyone will have the same reaction. (My younger son had the flu a couple years ago and was out for a week. And I have had it before. And been out for a couple weeks.) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tamiflu-1/page/2#post-2803738 Mon, 12 Feb 2018 15:55:25 +0000 avivoca 2803738@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had the flu in 2010 and took Tamiflu. I would take it again and also give it to my children if it meant that their suffering would be less. Within two days, my fever was gone and while I was still wiped out for a week or so after (it was right around Christmas), it was nice to be out of the woods. My job at the time only offered 3 sick days so I would have been out for the rest of the year. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tamiflu-1/page/2#post-2803660 Mon, 12 Feb 2018 12:45:15 +0000 Iced Tea 2803660@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I’ve experimented with taking it and not taking it, within our family. My conclusion is that we will all take it in the future, unless maybe it’s a less severe strain of flu. </p> <p>This year the baby got the flu first, and since she was very sick and had never been exposed to any flu strains before, the pediatrician strongly recommended tamiflu for her. It was difficult to administer (the liquid tastes horrible), but she went from unable to hold her up to practically normal in 24 hours. I’m sold. </p> <p>Then my husband helped me care for the sick kids, getting coughed on all the time. He took it as a prophylactic (I did not). He didn’t get sick at all. I did, terribly, because I wanted to save some money. Next time, I will gladly hand over my money! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tamiflu-1/page/2#post-2803620 Mon, 12 Feb 2018 09:46:11 +0000 josina 2803620@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't have any personal experience with Tamiflu and knock-on-wood it stays that way.<br /> My boss had the flu go through their household (of 7 kids). He said Tamiflu helped his 2 -20 month old's tremendously, they went from being super sick to acting like normal within a day. His 3 year old had hallucinations though and was yelling at someone to 'stop looking at me'. They stopped Tamiflu with her. His wife also stopped taking it because it made her nauseous.</p> <p>I would be willing to try it with my own kids if it lessened the severity of the illness. If I noticed any worse symptoms I would stop. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tamiflu-1/page/2#post-2803614 Mon, 12 Feb 2018 09:20:05 +0000 looch 2803614@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When my son gets sick, the sickness isn't even the worst part of it, it's the extreme amount of time it takes for him to "bounce back." He loses his appetite for weeks and generally loses a few pounds, so if I can shorten the duration of the illness and the resulting recovery period, I am all for it for my son, aged 7. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tamiflu-1/page/2#post-2803531 Sun, 11 Feb 2018 16:11:47 +0000 Mrs.Pinecone316 2803531@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We would not take it. If we got it it would be Elderberry Syrup, oscilloccinum, Vit C, Vit D and essential oils.</p> <p>Also the safety has not been studied for tamiflu in ages less than 1 and it isn't indicated by the manufacturer for treatment or prophalaxis for ages less than 1 so even though the flu is scary in young babies so is tamiflu! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tamiflu-1#post-2803488 Sun, 11 Feb 2018 11:23:31 +0000 IRunForFun 2803488@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Twolittlemen: It is true that some of the people who have died from the flu had taken Tamiflu, but something like 80% of them hadn't gotten a flu shot. I think it's plausible that the combo of flu shot and Tamiflu is making a difference.</p> <p>With how scary the flu is this year, I'd give Tamiflu to my kid in a heartbeat. I'd rather she have an upset stomach than die of the flu. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tamiflu-1#post-2803480 Sun, 11 Feb 2018 11:04:55 +0000 Bibliolove 2803480@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would take it (I have bad asthma) and I would give it to my LO. He is too young to get the flu shot, so this flu season scares the crap out of me. He had RSV and bronchiolitis last month and that was hard for him and for us to watch him go through. I'm truly counting down the days until he can get vaccinated (not til early March!). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tamiflu-1#post-2803341 Fri, 09 Feb 2018 20:15:12 +0000 Twolittlemen 2803341@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gingerbebe: I already answered your question about why I started the thread. And I find your answer insightful. You can see above that a reason I wouldn’t consider it for one of my kids is the same as why you would give it to yours. </p> <p>I truely believe we are all making the best decisions we can based on our knowledge of all the factors and how they apply to our family. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tamiflu-1#post-2803340 Fri, 09 Feb 2018 20:12:22 +0000 Twolittlemen 2803340@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsSCB: there has been studies on hospitalization rate reduction on the 15 years it’s been out. And of course there are no gaurentees. </p> <p>If you read the myriad of studies you can find results that support both our arguments so in no way am I ignoring scientific fact. </p> <p>Mostly I’m curious why or why not people choose to give it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tamiflu-1#post-2803339 Fri, 09 Feb 2018 20:07:54 +0000 Twolittlemen 2803339@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LemonJack: I may feel differently with a child so young because I was terrified of RSV at that age. Glad she ended up feeling better. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tamiflu-1#post-2803338 Fri, 09 Feb 2018 20:06:32 +0000 Twolittlemen 2803338@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gotkimchi: this is actually the warning the dr gave me. She said the reduction of flu symptoms may not be worth it when you potentially introduce nausea and vomiting. so if your goal is to simply make your child feel better they may actually end up feeling worse. My son that has it has actually NEVER thrown up (he’s seven) so I don’t know that if I wanted to give it that would stop me. </p> <p>However my younger son has an intensely sensitive GI tract where one little thing can give him months of GI problems so in that case it would stop me even if I was considering it. Because the GI problems are so awful and long lasting that the potential of having them is too great of a price to pay. </p> <p>Personally I hate being nauseous and throwing up more than any other illness. I have taken tamiflu myself before. When I was in college and I don’t remember anything about it, being that it was 16ish years ago. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tamiflu-1#post-2803337 Fri, 09 Feb 2018 20:03:25 +0000 MrsSCB 2803337@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Twolittlemen: well, nothing is “guaranteed”, but research supports tamiflu can shorten and lessen the severity of the flu. And I don’t see how you can say tamiflu has not reduced the hospitalization rate. It’s far too early for there to be any studies on that, but even if this flu season were over, there are too many variables that can affect hospitalization rates. This year is a particularly bad year, both in terms of how widespread the flu is and in terms of the efficacy of the shot. So if you’re simply going by how many people have been hospitalized this year, there’s no way you can logically say it wouldn’t be worse if not for tamiflu. And I’m aware that many flu deaths are from secondary infections. Often bacterial infections that are a result of damage done by the flu, which likely more seriously affects bodies already weakened by the flu virus. It’s absolutely your prerogative to not give or take tamiflu, but if you intend to argue against it scientifically or medically, that’s just not supported by credible research. 🤷🏻‍♀️ </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tamiflu-1#post-2803336 Fri, 09 Feb 2018 19:53:58 +0000 LemonJack 2803336@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DD2 tested positive for the flu last week and we opted to give her Tamiflu because of her age (8 months). She hated it and it did make her vomit. We ended up stopping it after a couple of days. Our doctor said that was fine because of the side effects she was having. Edited to add that I would have kept her on it despite the side effects if she were really struggling with the flu, but she started to bounce back pretty quickly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tamiflu-1#post-2803335 Fri, 09 Feb 2018 19:51:43 +0000 gotkimchi 2803335@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Twolittlemen: I did not read all responses but I’m a rph and to me it depends on copay. A lot of the time the price is over $100 and to me that’s not generally worth it assuming you don’t have co-morbid conditions etc. I took it once and it made me throw up so I felt even sicker then I started. I always warn patients about that. It is a useful drug, but I think everyone needs to decide based on their own circumstances - copay, general health etc </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tamiflu-1#post-2803333 Fri, 09 Feb 2018 19:32:08 +0000 gingerbebe 2803333@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Twolittlemen: So, I don't really get the point of this thread. You seem to want to argue against everyone who is willing to use Tamiflu. If you don't want to take Tamiflu and don't want to give it to your kids that's fine, but why start a thread to essentially argue against people who think it works for them?</p> <p>My kids got sick last week and we started Tamiflu even before we got the flu test results back because they had symptoms for a day before testing and you have to take Tamiflu within 48 hours of symptoms. They showed no signs of side effects at 3 and 1 years old respectively and we discontinued when the test came back negative. I would absolutely take it as well. The flu this year in particular seems terrible and I wasn't going to take any chances with my children. My youngest tends to hold illness in his chest and both my kids get raging ear infections from any illness, even with tubes, so anything that would help them feel better faster is fine with me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tamiflu-1#post-2803332 Fri, 09 Feb 2018 19:12:00 +0000 Twolittlemen 2803332@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Truth Bombs: I know nothing about medication allergies so thank you for that. I’m so glad your children felt better the next day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tamiflu-1#post-2803331 Fri, 09 Feb 2018 19:07:52 +0000 Truth Bombs 2803331@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Twolittlemen: every physician I spoke to said an allergy to Tamiflu in a parent did not worry them about the child and in our case that proved true as my children did very well on it. For us, it didn’t lessen symptoms for a day. It literally makes them better 24 hours later. In three different cases of flu between 2 children. That’s well worth it to me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tamiflu-1#post-2803329 Fri, 09 Feb 2018 18:58:00 +0000 Twolittlemen 2803329@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Truth Bombs: no I don’t really care what other people choose to do with their kids. I believe we are all trying to do what we believe is best. </p> <p>My intention was to poll a larger group of people than I know IRL to see if the Yay! Tamiflu was regional to my area or more widespread. </p> <p>I feel that saying “I would give it because anything that may shorten my child’s discomforted by even a day” is reasonable. I take issue with the assertion that it shortened my child’s flu because one can’t really know that. I take issue with the idea that giving it to any and everyone that shows flu symptoms is in fact saving lives. </p> <p>I am interested if you were concerned that since you are allergic one of your kids may be? </p> <p>And. I also work full time out of the home in a non-flexible field with no sick or vacation time. And we have no family nearby so it’s not an easy thing for me for my kid to be out of school for a week. But, in my case that inconvience isn’t a motivating factor for me to medicate. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tamiflu-1#post-2803324 Fri, 09 Feb 2018 18:25:31 +0000 Truth Bombs 2803324@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Twolittlemen: Was the point of your post to try to convince everyone not to use Tamiflu? It seems that you are very set in your beliefs on this issue so I'm not sure why you posed the question to the group?</p> <p>Both of my children have taken Tamiflu and both have been 100% back to themselves within 24 hours of starting the drug with zero to no side effects (my son had some loose stools but nothing worse than he has on antibiotics or that made him uncomfortable). That kind of recovery time is invaluable to me as their mother who doesn't want them to be uncomfortable any longer than necessary and also as a person who has a full time job where I can't easily take 4-5 days off without advanced planning. I am unfortunately very allergic to Tamiflu and have had to suffer through the flu for myself and I'm extremely happy that science has given me a way to relive some of that misery for my children who tolerate Tamiflu well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tamiflu-1#post-2803315 Fri, 09 Feb 2018 17:30:19 +0000 Twolittlemen 2803315@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsSCB: I agree, flu complications happen in otherwise healthy people. But there is NO gaurentee that tamiflu treats or prevents these. Children who had the flu have died this year. And children who had the flu and took tamiflu have died this year too. Tamiflu has not reduced hospitalization rate due to the flu. Complications and deaths that are flu related are often not caused by the actual flu. They are brought on by secondary infections. </p> <p>I don’t believe not giving my children tamiflu, or not giving 99% of (otherwise healthy) children tamiflu is withholding lifesaving medication. </p> <p>Of course I already feel how I feel, and you already feel how you feel so we will both find whatever we want from the studies and results. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tamiflu-1#post-2803310 Fri, 09 Feb 2018 17:13:36 +0000 MrsSCB 2803310@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Twolittlemen: that’s why they’re studying it closely, though. So far it hasn’t been an issue, but if anything changes they could adjust. I’m not sure limiting potentially lifesaving medication for something that isn’t happening makes sense. Flu complications are not predictable and can happen to healthy people. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tamiflu-1#post-2803297 Fri, 09 Feb 2018 15:57:22 +0000 808love 2803297@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>From what I've heard, the length of time from which you first get symptoms to the time you take it, affects the effectiveness of Tamiflu. My friend warned me to take it within 48 hrs or it won't help. When I took it this week, nurse just recommended it and started inputting rx before she even 'asked' me since I had been exposed to someone (who didn't know she was sick at the time) and the timeline matched up. It has helped a lot. Now I need to decide what to do about my daughter (aka appendage) as she is already getting sniffly but no other signs. Crap, she used my computer yesterday too!!!<br /> I don't want to give it to her but I probably will because it helped me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tamiflu-1#post-2803296 Fri, 09 Feb 2018 15:56:20 +0000 Twolittlemen 2803296@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsSCB: right, tamiflu works for now, I’m more concerned about over prescription and what that means for the future flu. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tamiflu-1#post-2803294 Fri, 09 Feb 2018 15:45:12 +0000 Twolittlemen 2803294@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@caitlanc: thanks for your response. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tamiflu-1#post-2803293 Fri, 09 Feb 2018 15:43:43 +0000 Mama Bird 2803293@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Both of my kids took it when DD got the flu. She still had a hard time, but it might have been worse without Tamiflu... no way to know that. DS was starting to look sick when she was diagnosed, and the Tamiflu kept him from getting a full-blown case of the flu. He was looking just fine the next day, but took it for several days just in case. No side effects. </p>