Help! Husband has flu!

SashaT313

Hello fellow mommies! We just found out today that my husband has influenza B. I got my flu shot last November and don't have any symptoms, but my doctor prescribed Tamiflu to prevent me from getting sick since I've been exposed and my immune system is down due to the pregnancy. When I asked the doc if Tamiflu is safe for baby she said it was safer than getting the flu. I don't know how I feel about taking it since I already took the flu shot and don't have any symptoms. What would you ladies do? Any advice?

adamscowgurl

My husband had a flu/cold for a good week and a half.. it was awful, I just slept in a separate room and lysoled the house like crazy... opened the windows frequently and stayed the hell away from him for a few days.. even after his symptoms were gone! I didn't get it... I don't know if I would take the prescription if I wasn't sick.. I'm not really into taking something I don't DEFINITELY need... maybe if you start to get sick??? but it isn't guaranteed you're going to get it.... that's just my thought!

AllieAGame

I would find out if Tamiflu is effective once flu-symptions start, or if it is only preventative. (I have no idea.) If it's only preventative I would definitely take it now- your doctor gave you advice for a reason, and I would trust that it is more of a danger to get the flu than take the medication.

However, if Tamiflu is effective after the onset of symptoms, I would be more inclined to very cautiously wait it out and take it as soon as symptoms appear.

 

LaineyPaney

My son and Hubby both had it this year. My OB said, "Get outta there!" I went and stayed with my mom until they were both fever free.

I was not given a Rx for Tamiflu and told that Tamiflu would not prevent me from getting the flu. I was told to call them ASAP if I got any flu symptoms.

So, that's been my experience with the flu this year....

Jessee28

My husband got the flu as well. I was told not to take anything unless I developed symptoms. We stayed in the same house and I did not get it. I wouldnt take it unless you started having symptoms. I think it only works after you have the flu.

MommaG123

DD was diagnosed with influenza a month or so ago and they put me on Tamiflu at the preventative dosage.  We caught it with DD right away and we both started Tamiflu right away and neither of us got seriously sick at all.

It's up to you whether you take it or not.  It's category C which means it hasn't really been studied enough to make a decision whether it's bad or good and that the general consensus is that it is better to take it than to have influenza without taking it. 

SashaT313

Thanks for the response. Did you get the flu shot too, or just Tamiflu? Since I did get the flu shot (which covers the influenza B strain) and Tamiflu it is a Class C drug, I'm leaning towards not taking it unless I start having symptoms. Everything I've read says you normally get the flu within two days of exposure and it has been two days.

MommaG123

SashaT313:

Thanks for the response. Did you get the flu shot too, or just Tamiflu? Since I did get the flu shot (which covers the influenza B strain) and Tamiflu it is a Class C drug, I'm leaning towards not taking it unless I start having symptoms. Everything I've read says you normally get the flu within two days of exposure and it has been two days.

I did not have the vaccine but DD did and still got the flu.  

SashaT313

Thanks for the response. I feel the same way about taking drugs too. It was very difficult for me to get the flu shot in the first place which is why I don't want to have to take a double-dose of the stuff (especially since the shot is supposed to cover influenza . I think I will keep the medicine on hand in case I do get sick. Glad you were able to avoid catching it - gives me hope (:

SashaT313

So Tamiflu is effective both for preventing the flu and helping decrease symptoms once the flu starts. I'm with you, I'm probably going to cautiously wait it out. Fingers crossed nothing happens. So far, so good.

SashaT313

That is interesting they told you Tamiflu would not prevent you from getting the flu. My sister is coming to visit this weekend for my showe and her doctor told her the same thing. Makes me even less inclined to take it. Thanks!

SashaT313

Interesting they told you not to take anything unless you got symptoms - so many different opinions out there! Glad you didn't get it! Hopefully I will be as lucky!