Flu - Tamiflu or Oscillo?

[Bri'sgirl]

My 8 year old son tested positive for the flu today.  The doctor prescribed Tamiflu, but I would really rather stay away from that.  I've given him Oscillococcinum, turkey noodle soup (24 hour broth), water kefir and lots of fluids.  He has also had a couple doses of Motrin, because his fever was 104.  What else should I be doing to make sure that he heals up quickly?

I've never been too worried about the flu, until I met a lady whose 7 year old son died from it 3 years ago.  Her other kids went to my kids' school.  That really hit home, and now I'm freaking out a little.  My poor ds never gets sick, in fact, the last time he went to the doctor was over 3 years ago, so he's not taking this so well.

Anyway, I need to make a decision about giving him the Tamiflu or not by tonight, because the window for it working ends soon.

[tanyalynn]

I wouldn't use it, but I wouldn't use the motrin either.  Do you have anything around for nutritional support?  That's one of our first go-tos, extra vitamin C, probably extra zinc, I'd do a multivit too.  And like you, I'd focus on food that's really easy to digest, lots of soup, avoiding dairy and wheat.  Some people have given vitamin D in high doses to treat illness, I haven't used it for the kids yet, I've tried it for myself and DH and didn't see anything, but we'd already been supplementing for a while so maybe that's why I didn't see anything. 

[CookAMH]

Just because a fever is a certain level doesn't mean you need to medicate. Your son will be better off without meds, unless he's MISERABLE, then treat for comfort. Keep doing the other things you're doing, those are great.

It IS scary to know of someone who died. Keep in mind that you don't know the whole picture of his situation, how his flu was treated, underlying health conditions.

[Bri'sgirl]

Thanks ladies!  I ended up not giving him the Tamiflu, instead I gave him the oscillo.  Within an hour of giving it to him, he was sitting up on his own and laughing with his brother and sister.  He wasn't 100% better, but he was definitely 10x better than he was.  By this morning, he is close to 85% better, so I am really happy about that!

I also try to not give the motrin if possible, but his head was hurting so bad, he was holding it and crying, so I gave it to him.  I know that it's not always necessary to give meds for fever, but over 103-104, I end up giving in.  All I can say is that I'm learning every day and am doing better with natural remedies.  When he was a baby, I would give him the motrin for everything, but definitely not any more.