Children, the flu and Tamiflu?!
Question: My 8 year daughter has the flu and is current taking Tamiflu. We caught the symptoms pretty early. I have 2 1/2 twin girls. Their pediatrician prescribed them Tamiflu as well and told us to start giving them the meds as soon as we start seeing symptoms. The only thing I've seen so far is very lowgrade temps (99 degrees F). They are acting and eating normally.
Should I go ahead and start the Tamiflu now? I'm afraid if I give them the medicine, and they don't really have it, they might get it again down the line. Do you think their doctor would prescribe another round of Tamiflu should they get sick after my oldest daughter gets over the flu - or do you think the Tamiflu will protect them from this strain? By the way, all three of them had their flu shots this season (not that it did any good).
Can you tell I have absolutely no idea what's going on? :)
Answers: My 8 year daughter has the flu and is current taking Tamiflu. We caught the symptoms pretty early. I have 2 1/2 twin girls. Their pediatrician prescribed them Tamiflu as well and told us to start giving them the meds as soon as we start seeing symptoms. The only thing I've seen so far is very lowgrade temps (99 degrees F). They are acting and eating normally.
Should I go ahead and start the Tamiflu now? I'm afraid if I give them the medicine, and they don't really have it, they might get it again down the line. Do you think their doctor would prescribe another round of Tamiflu should they get sick after my oldest daughter gets over the flu - or do you think the Tamiflu will protect them from this strain? By the way, all three of them had their flu shots this season (not that it did any good).
Can you tell I have absolutely no idea what's going on? :)
I wouldn't give it to them yet. The fever could indicate something small like the common cold, or it might be nothing other than a sign that "hey ma, my body is fighting something", and it might not turn into anything. You also don't want to over medicate them. Typically when they say to watch for symptoms you want to look for the aches and pains, sore throat, headache, stuffy/runny nose, fever etc. As long as they are treated within 2 days of the initial signs of symptoms they will be fine.
I would suggest a vitamin C supplement to help boost their immune systems though. "Emergen C" is fabulous. Comes in a powder in great (kid friendly) flavors, and just mixes with water, or juice. 500mg in morning, and 500mg in afternoon would be good for kids that age. You can find it at any health food store, and most grocery stores carry it in the natural foods section.
Good luck