Has your toddler taken Tamiflu?

[marispel]

My DS (30 mo) has had a mild fever 100 to 101 for the past two days.   We took him to the Dr. and he tested for the flu.  The Dr. prescribed Tamiflu and said it works like magic.  Has anyone else taken this?

[pianojazzgirl]

I suggest doing a little research into Tamiflu.  From what I understand it is a powerful drug and can have (possibly serious) side-effects.

Elderberry is a very effective anti-viral.  When the whole H1N1 scare was going around I did a bunch of research into safe remedies (for my friend who was pg at the time).  There was a study done that showed that elderberry was AS effective as Tamiflu in combating influenza viruses.  Elderberry is much safer than Tamiflu (can even be taken by pg women), we actually take an elderberry tablet ("Immunity Take Care" made by New Chapter) every day over the winter to help boost our immune systems. 

If one of us gets the flu we do elderberry, vit C, vit D (we take that daily anyway), lots of rest, fluids, bone broth and treating the symptoms as necessary (different treatment depending on symptoms obviously). 

[pianojazzgirl]

Here, I found an article about it for you: http://www.naturalnews.com/026354_elderberry_Tamiflu_immune_system.html

[pbjmama]

My ped does not prescribe tamiflu and told me she has had many negative experiences in giving it to patients. It sounds like the flu is running a normal course, fever isn't bad and medication isn't indicated. If I were to give meds I would ask my standard questions of what are the advantages and disadvantages of this med, side effects, etc.

[~Charlie's~Angel~]

Agreed.  the fever is not even really a fever in a child that small.  I wouldnt bat an eye at 100 or 101.  What are his other symptoms?  If its just the fever, and nothing else, I wouldnt give him anything but fluids and snuggies. 

[Peony]

The pedis in our practice don't give it to routinely to children either. I'd do some research on it, I remember a study on the UK saying half the children taking it experienced side effects. 

[Surfer Rosa]

DD had it last year when she tested + for H1N1, because she has asthma/had breathing issues. She had just turned 4. We gave it to her after some research and because she was SO sick (very high fever, couldn't eat, couldn't walk, etc....she is usually all over the place, and she was a limp noodle). She was still in bed for a week (literally couldn't do anything but lie there), and wiped for another week or two, and we wound up in hospital anyway because of her breathing, so either we gave it to her too late (I believe that to be most effective, it should be taken within 48 hours of flu onset?), or maybe it could have been much, much worse if we hadn't given Tamiflu. Given our daughter's health concerns, we were more comfortable giving her Tamiflu, even with the side effects...but that's something you will have to weigh!

Good luck, and I hope your LO is better soon!

[marispel]

DS was just 2 days into the flu and I did question if it really was the flu, but DS is notorious for not showing any signs of being sick.  He does have a little fluid behind his ear, along with a runny nose and a bit of a cough.  In November last year DS had a cough that he couldn't shake.  Then it turned to whizzing.  Dr. put him on Aeterbol (sp?) and that help a bit, but then we tried Singular and that took care of the whizzing.   Dr. said he wouldn't say that he has "asthma" but something we need to watch when he has colds because it tends to go to his chest and ears.

So, we gave DS a dose of Tamiflu yesterday late morning.  We checked DS temp after his nap - no temp.  DS slept good last night and woke up with no temp.   I told DH that I didn't think we needed to continue the Tamilfu and DH insisted that we continue.  So, he got one more dose this morning.    My DH loves, loves, loves medicine.  He thinks an antibiotic is the cure all for everything.  Since our Dr. told DH yesterday that Tamiflu works like "magic", DH is sold on giving DS this drug.   UGH!

[wembles]

My entire family was hit with the flu last month.  My son (age 2) got hit first...he woke up in the morning, came out to the living room and just laid on the floor, crying.  He had a 103 fever and was trembling.  We took him to the doctor and he tested positive for the flu.  Our doctor did prescribe Tamiflu for him.  We did some research first, and ended up filling it for him.  I am 8 months pregnant and we decided to go ahead and try the medicine to try and limit his symptoms and hopefully prevent me from getting sick.  The Tamiflu worked wonders for him!!  He was almost completely better 3 days later.  I did end up getting sick, as did my husband, and we both were sick as dogs for 11 and 8 days, respectively.  In fact, I still have a lingering cough.  My son had no side effects from the Tamiflu (I'd read it could cause nausea, so we always gave it to him with food).  I am thankful that he had it after experiencing the full wrath of the flu myself.  Just our experience