Tamiflu- thoughts, experiences, what is it really good for??

MNturnsVA

Hi ladies.....I'm 11 weeks today and my DH has been running a fever for the last 24 hours or so, maybe a little over 24 hours.  We put a call into his dr today to see about getting him some Tamiflu maybe and the nurse at his dr office asked if I wanted a script for myself as well.  I've heard that Tamiflu really only reduces symptoms by about a day or so but I also just read it can supposedly help prevent the spreading of the flu virus as well.  So I initially said no to her question about wanting a script for me, but now I'm wondering if I should have said yes.  I'm probably going to call the GYN just to double check with them.  I did get a flu shot but it wasn't until last week       So now I'm snowed in with the man cold/flu.......Any thoughts or experience on this would be great!!  I really don't want to get sick- one of my other friends is about 18 weeks along and has been super sick with all sorts of nasty chest congestion since about the 12 week mark, she just can't fully shake it.  I don't want that!!! nope, nope, nope......

Bigboobsmcgee

I wouldn't take it.

Latina211508

My husband took it and immediately he felt better. The next day he was up and back to work. But I'm not sure for those who are pregnant. He got the flu after getting his flu shot. I didn't get a flu shot but ended up sick but luckily it was only a 24 hour thing for me. I just sucked it up and drank a lot of fluids (water, Gatorade etc) until it passed. 

JessicaB0627

I would call your Ob. Fevers can be dangerous during pregnancy, especially during the 1st tri. But ultimately I would consult my doctor on the risk/benefits.

maelic

I would have your husband tested for the flu and, if it comes back positive, consider taking Tamiflu yourself after talking to your OB.

If what he has is just a cold, which is absolutely possible, no need to resort to the big guns unnecessarily. 

LIly436

I just been to a doctor, so can say from her words. Tamiflu is safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women. It is an antiviral medication and should be taken to treat viral infections

MamaRoni

It is fine for pregnant women.... and can certainly be a huge lifesaver.... but should not have been given to your husband unless he tested positive for the flu. Seriously.... it is so overused 

delujm0

MamaRoni said:

It is fine for pregnant women.... and can certainly be a huge lifesaver.... but should not have been given to your husband unless he tested positive for the flu. Seriously.... it is so overused 

This.  Way too many doctors call a bad cold "the flu" when it is not that.  And Tamiflu isn't going to help very much for a cold.  The flu should only be diagnosed with a positive flu test.  The flu shot was extremely effective this year, so if your husband had one, it's likely that he just has a bad cold now (or possibly strep throat which my husband currently has and carries flu like symptoms, such as fever and achiness).

 

Additionally, to the poster that said she only had the flu for 24 hours...that was not the flu.  Maybe it was a stomach flu, which is a completely different thing?  Actual Influenza Virus is serious and long lasting.  it is not something that a day of gatorade is going to fix.  It knocks you on your ass for several days, if not weeks.

Disneygeek77

I took it when I was pregnant last year.   Dd was diagnosed with the flu and as soon as I started to have the same symptoms, I called my ob and he put me on tamiflu.  It really helped as I wasn't as sick as she was and it didn't last as long either.

Knottie1440636405

My DH had a positive flu test last week and I called my OB the next day. I did have a flu shot in early fall, she called in a script for me to take as a preventative. Good thing too because my step-son tested positive for flu a few days later. My SIL is a nurse and said she was seeing lots of folks with flu who got the shot this year, it's just a nasty strain.

dennyandlee

OP, are you saying they called in Tamiflu for your DH when he hasn't been diagnosed as having the flu? If that's the case, I, nor my DH would be taking it.

PugsandKisses

I had influenza two weeks ago. I was already passed the 48 mark when diagnosed. My fevers did not drop below 101.5 for 4 days, and went as high as 103.5.F My flu turned into a secondary infection of Pneumonia. I was bedridden for 2 weeks, could not breathe, was stuck to a Nebulizer treatments, steroids, 3 differenent antibiotics and a few class C meds.

I was in hell. Get your DH tested (nasal swab), and if he is positive, take it. If not, then dont.

daniella2727

just bc your son has a fever you think he has flu? he could have a number of things and they can test for flu so i would bring him in before i even give HIM tamiflu.  I took tamiflu NOT pregnant but nursing and I would never ever take it again. I had crazy psychological things occur - read up on it, it is common! i also 24 later had an allergic reaction to it with swelled lips. overall the whole experience stunk but it did seize my terrible cough instantly - ONLY benefit.