When my daughter got the flu, we called the pediatrician. We wanted an apt to make sure that the nasty crap hadn't gotten into her lungs, precipitating the need for antibiotics. Realize it is a virus, but overlapping bacterial crap going around can hit the lungs, and her temp was running 103, so we weren't taking any chances. She was also pulling at her ears at that point. We also knew that if they were going to start Tamiflu, she would have to be seen. Turns out, peds aren't handing Tamiflu out to anyone who isn't considered high risk. As for me, I could feel my lungs getting tight and I have asthma, which puts me in the high risk category...meaning Tamiflu is recommended. My doc said that the feeling is if you have an underlying high risk factor for development of bronchitis, they slap an antibiotic on. I was coughing up some nasty crap, so that was another reason I had to go...otherwise I wouldn't. As far as going, just to confirm what type of flu you have? My daughter tested positive for H1N1. I tested negative...however, I was told that 50% of the rapid tests come back with faulty results, and any further testing would require 48 hours to get the results, so what's the point? IMO, by all means go if you have any sort of underlying acute or chronic respiratory condition or chronic condition that lowers your immune response. The CDC outlines this very well. Also, you should know your doc well enough to know if he/she would even consider calling in a prescription without seeing you. They are being careful with handing out the Tamiflu...it isn't in that great of a supply, and people are truly overusing it. Hope everyone stays well. Wear a mask into the docs if you have to go and squirt people with Lysol if you have to.
umpkin:
I just got it Sunday night. Give me a few more days please to recover. :tongue:
