I got the Swine Flu--so I have to give my kids tamiflu?

[jlry_ldy]

So I got the H1N1 flu. So did my husband. My oldest DS (I have 2) got sick. A fever, cough, etc. We thought that maybe he had it as well, but his appointment was the day after ours (I refuse to go to the ER anymore unless it really is life threatening and a fever is not).

Anyway, while I was telling the doctor my symptoms and we're talking, I mention I have two boys at home. A 2 year old who is sick and an 8 month old who is not. He gets VERY concerned. When he tells me I have the H1N1 he told me that since I was a healthy adult, I don't need anything except some Ibuprofen and rest (or maybe that's just the military doctor in him...everything is cured with ibuprofen! lol). However, since my children were under 4, they were high risk.

He prescribed them tamiflu (well, the off brand). He said it was a preventative action.

So paranoid mama kicked in and I rushed to fill the prescription. Later that evening, I give both my boys the medication. My 8 month old starts projectile vomiting everywhere about an hour later. I was like, "Oh my God! He has the flu, too!" Then I remember, the flu doesn't usually have you vomiting. I go over to the bag where the prescriptions were in. I realize I have the directions, but nothing with side effects and everything else on it.

So I go to google. Did you know that tamiflu can cause diarreah, vomiting, insomnia.....hepatitis!? And children who get it need to be closely monitored for a few hours, because there have been enough cases of kids hurting themselves that you should bring them to the ER if they act very "weird." And this wasn't like an anti-tamiflu site or anything. It was their site!

So I stopped it. I'd rather they get the flu and then go from there. Oh, and my son was seen. He has a touch of bronchitis and an ear infection...NOT the flu. My husband and I are getting over our flu and our 8 month old (breastfed!) baby is still fine.

Ugh. I feel like a horrible mother for not looking into it properly! The doctor just freaked me out. You think I should know better, but I guess I still have my freak out moments.

[aurorabunny]

Nov. 18, 2009 at 8:56 AM

That doctor was a moron to do that IMO.  Tamiflu can have some serious side effects and to give it someone who isn't even showing signs of sickness...ugh.  And I'm not putting you down, we're not doctors, we should be able to trust them.  Sorry mama. :(

[jlry_ldy]

Nov. 18, 2009 at 9:05 AM

Yeah, I feel bad I listened to him right away! I should have looked into it.

(Original Poster)

[kristina_1988]

Nov. 18, 2009 at 11:49 AM

i like how you emphasized "breastfed"...its definitly something to be proud of. my son is 13 months old and has only had 1 ear infection...no other illness. POWER TO THE MILK MAKERS!!