I have been really sick for four days, including almost two days with a 104 fever, and ended up in the ER yesterday where they tested and confirmed I have their first case of Influenza of the season (in their hospital system). Lucky me - patient zero. I was on a business trip last week so timing works out that I probably got it during travel.

What has me terrified is that my 14-month-old has definitely been exposed for days. Until the diagnosis I assumed I was suffering from Hand Foot Mouth disease and that I had caught it from my LO, who had that last week but recovered very quickly. As a result I wasn't careful with hand washing or keeping her from touching my face/nose while she was nursing.

We were all scheduled to get our flu shots next week at our pediatrician's weekend shot clinic. So frustrating! A lesson to everyone who reads this to get your flu shots as early in the season as possible. I have never in my life been in so much pain or been so afraid I might die. And now I am sick with fear for my LO.

To try to prevent LO from getting it despite exposure to me during the worst of my contagious period our pediatrician prescribed Tamiflu today and we got it tonight. We gave it to LO after dinner (recommended to give with a full stomach or else it can cause nausea/vomiting). We got most of the dose in her eventually by squirting a bit as she nursed and trying to sneak it that way but she figured that out and quit nursing and started freaking out.

I was wondering if anyone has any tips on giving tamiflu to a toddler? The dose is 5ml, so it's way more than the small doses of Tylenol we have ever given her. She HATES medicine of any kind and struggled mightily the second she sees the syringe. I am so terrified that I have given my baby a super nasty flu, I will do anything to keep her healthy at this point, so the stakes feel very high!

The pharmacist recommended mixing it with applesauce but our LO refuses all purées. She only eats solids now and we can't think of anything she eats that we could hide a nasty liquid in.

Also any success stories with Tamiflu appreciated! I am not by nature a nervous parent but the idea of my baby dealing with the insane virus I've been battling this week terrifies me beyond belief. Plus I have influenza B, which is apparently the most deadly to infants/children.