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What do I do!? H1N1 ):
Two of my daughters HAVE tested positive for H1N1. I am 31.5 weeks pregnant. OB says to take Tamiflu and start today, but Tamiflu is not recommended for pregnancy based on unknown reactions to unborn children. Hubby and I don't know what decision is the best for us. Any opinions? The prescription is waiting for me...just so scared either way. I am leaning towards taking my chances and not taking it, but that is not the recommendation. What if I harm my baby by taking it? What if I do by not taking it??
Hi!
I'm glad you're being cautious about the Tamiflu - and that you're not sick! Perhaps you are immune. As others have mentioned, a good way (a GREAT way, actually) to boost your immunity to viruses QUICKLY is to take vitamin D. Many authorities recommend 4,000 IU per day for adults. Check with your doc first, though.
Best wishes,
~Wendy
I'm glad you're being cautious about the Tamiflu - and that you're not sick! Perhaps you are immune. As others have mentioned, a good way (a GREAT way, actually) to boost your immunity to viruses QUICKLY is to take vitamin D. Many authorities recommend 4,000 IU per day for adults. Check with your doc first, though.
Best wishes,
~Wendy
I've decided not to take it, or to give it to my son. Both of us feel fine right now.
Oh Jen, what a dilema to be in. If it were me I would probably take the tamiflu. Part of the reason I am comfortable with it is that I have a huge amount of trust in my OB. I feel confident in her knowledge and comfortable with following her recommendations. I am more scared of the effects of H1N1 then the vaccine or tamiflu. That's me though and obviously you need to do what you feel is right. I hope your dd's are feeling better quickly and you are able to avoid the whole thing altogether. Take care and good luck whatever you decide. XOXO Amanda
That's true, that's what the ER doctor told us. He wouldn't give us the Tamiflu for the rest of the family to take as a precaution, just my son who was just diagnosed with it. He said the concern is it would build up an immunity to the Tamiflu and that could make things more difficult.
I think that based on this information, I would follow the recommendations but then if I started to develop ANY symptoms (I'd check my temp regularly too), I'd ask someone to get me Tamiflu and start it ASAP.
One of the concerns I've heard expressed is that if Tamiflu or other antivirals are used without the presence of the virus, then we are just going to end up having a more virilant strain of H1N1 that is resistant to Tamiflu (ie, as in what has happened with the overuse of prescriptions of antibiotics in the absence of bacterial infections). I'm sure the pharmaceutical companies would welcome such a crisis; what a cash cow!
One of the concerns I've heard expressed is that if Tamiflu or other antivirals are used without the presence of the virus, then we are just going to end up having a more virilant strain of H1N1 that is resistant to Tamiflu (ie, as in what has happened with the overuse of prescriptions of antibiotics in the absence of bacterial infections). I'm sure the pharmaceutical companies would welcome such a crisis; what a cash cow!
I'm pregnant and I think I have swine flu. What should I do?
Written for Canada
Morag Martindale answers:
The first thing to do is check your symptoms, to see if it really is swine flu (H1N1). The symptoms are similar to those of ordinary flu:
• sometimes but not always fever
• tiredness
• cough
• headache
• muscles and joint pain.
H1N1 flu can also cause:
• acute abdominal pain
• diarrhea
• vomiting
• sore throat
• runny nose
A fever caused by H1N1 flu can be very high: if you have regular flu your fever is unlikely to go above 39 degrees C (102.2 degrees F). If you have H1N1 flu it could reach 39 degrees C and higher. However, H1N1 may or may not be associated with fever.
If you have any of these symptoms, call your doctor.
Swine flu is highly contagious, so your doctor will may give a diagnosis over the phone. If she confirms that you have the virus she will probably prescribe antiviral medication. Ask a friend to collect your prescription for you.
Most pregnant women will be prescribed the antiviral drug Tamiflu. The risks of taking antivirals in pregnancy are small, much smaller than the risks posed by the infection itself. You will need to start treatment within 48 hours of developing symptoms.
Fever in early pregnancy is known to slightly increase the risk of neural tube defects, such as spina bifida, so it's important to control a high temperature.
You can safely take Acetaminophen to control a fever. Each dose, one or two 500mg tablets, lasts about four hours, and you can take a maximum of eight 500mg tablets in 24 hours.
You should take precautions to avoid passing on swine flu to anyone else in your family. The Public Health Agency of Canada makes the following recommendations:
• Wash your hands often and thoroughly in warm, soapy water or use hand sanitizer.
• Cough and sneeze in your arm, not your hand.
• Keep common surfaces and items clean and disinfected.
• Stay home when you're sick, unless directed to seek medical care.
• If you are out in crowded places, consider carrying hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes to take extra precautions
Read our article about swine flu in pregnancy.
You can get further advice from the Public Health Agency of Canada's website www.fightflu.ca
Here's the original link: http://www.babycenter.ca/pregnancy/antenatalhealth/physicalhealth/swine-flu-what-to-do/
Written for Canada
Morag Martindale answers:
The first thing to do is check your symptoms, to see if it really is swine flu (H1N1). The symptoms are similar to those of ordinary flu:
• sometimes but not always fever
• tiredness
• cough
• headache
• muscles and joint pain.
H1N1 flu can also cause:
• acute abdominal pain
• diarrhea
• vomiting
• sore throat
• runny nose
A fever caused by H1N1 flu can be very high: if you have regular flu your fever is unlikely to go above 39 degrees C (102.2 degrees F). If you have H1N1 flu it could reach 39 degrees C and higher. However, H1N1 may or may not be associated with fever.
If you have any of these symptoms, call your doctor.
Swine flu is highly contagious, so your doctor will may give a diagnosis over the phone. If she confirms that you have the virus she will probably prescribe antiviral medication. Ask a friend to collect your prescription for you.
Most pregnant women will be prescribed the antiviral drug Tamiflu. The risks of taking antivirals in pregnancy are small, much smaller than the risks posed by the infection itself. You will need to start treatment within 48 hours of developing symptoms.
Fever in early pregnancy is known to slightly increase the risk of neural tube defects, such as spina bifida, so it's important to control a high temperature.
You can safely take Acetaminophen to control a fever. Each dose, one or two 500mg tablets, lasts about four hours, and you can take a maximum of eight 500mg tablets in 24 hours.
You should take precautions to avoid passing on swine flu to anyone else in your family. The Public Health Agency of Canada makes the following recommendations:
• Wash your hands often and thoroughly in warm, soapy water or use hand sanitizer.
• Cough and sneeze in your arm, not your hand.
• Keep common surfaces and items clean and disinfected.
• Stay home when you're sick, unless directed to seek medical care.
• If you are out in crowded places, consider carrying hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes to take extra precautions
Read our article about swine flu in pregnancy.
You can get further advice from the Public Health Agency of Canada's website www.fightflu.ca
Here's the original link: http://www.babycenter.ca/pregnancy/antenatalhealth/physicalhealth/swine-flu-what-to-do/
That is a hard decision. For myself I would weigh the odds. What are the odds of you getting H1N1? high. What are the odds of of you/baby having complications from tamiflu? low (?? but I'd have to do more research). What are the odds of you/baby having complications if you do get H1N1? high. So for myself I would probably take it.
Many meds are labeled class C but still seem to be OK during pregnancy (such as metformin and baby aspirin which is actually a D). This designation is given if there may be harm OR if the appropriate tests have not been run.
Many meds are labeled class C but still seem to be OK during pregnancy (such as metformin and baby aspirin which is actually a D). This designation is given if there may be harm OR if the appropriate tests have not been run.
Oh, and I do not trust any meds or vaccines either. I don't get the flu shot ever and did not plan to this year!
I am leaning towards not taking it. I just hope this is the right decision for me and for us. They want my two year old son to take it as well. I don't think that will be happening either. I just can't believe they are positive!! They actually don't seem more sick than I would expect them to be with a regular flu, so it is seeming to be mild for the most part. My 17 year old daughter is complaining of lots of body aches and a very sore throat and a pounding headache but again, this does not surprise me considering she has the flu. I have never had the flu that I know of, and I am healthy. I'm thinking if I get it I will be out for a few days but will recover. Boy, I hope so. Thanks for your opinions everyone!!
Hi,
Very hard to make that decision.
If it were me I wouldn't take it. But I would be taking heaps of vitamin C, getting out in the sun / taking vit D and plenty of chicken soup, rest, washing hands etc.
If you get sick then taking the Tamiflu maybe a different consideration. But in most people the H1N1 is a fairly mild illness.
Best wishes whatever decision you make.
Very hard to make that decision.
If it were me I wouldn't take it. But I would be taking heaps of vitamin C, getting out in the sun / taking vit D and plenty of chicken soup, rest, washing hands etc.
If you get sick then taking the Tamiflu maybe a different consideration. But in most people the H1N1 is a fairly mild illness.
Best wishes whatever decision you make.
Hi there, I am soooo sorry about this news! If you are still on the fence about getting the H1N1 vaccine or the Tamiflu,is there maybe a way that you could stay at a friend's house or maybe with family for 2-3 days just until the most highly contagious days have passed. This way at least you won't expose yourself since you say that you don't feel any of the symptoms yet. Maybe your lucky enough to have fought it off and have nothing as of yet. I would first go to the dr. and have your blood tested to see if they can detect anything, if the test comes back negative then from there I would make arrangements with friends/family for a few days. Then I would take as much immune supplements as I could handle. Make sure that the other kids would be OK with Hubby and be sure they take their supplements too. God I hope you are still negative!!
I think if it were me I wouldn't take it but I would be very careful. Consider buying face masks to wear when you do have contact near them, wash your hands a lot and try to keep them somewhat isolated, if you can.
My son got it and no one else did in our family so you never know. I was told you'd show symptoms 5 to 7 days of being exposed. So, you should be able to breath easier if it's been a week since they first got it. I hope this all works out for you ok! Let us know what you decide. Take care!
My son got it and no one else did in our family so you never know. I was told you'd show symptoms 5 to 7 days of being exposed. So, you should be able to breath easier if it's been a week since they first got it. I hope this all works out for you ok! Let us know what you decide. Take care!
For some reason I don't think I would. Keep your hands washed and gosh, I don't know what to tell you. I just don't know about med's these days. It's so easy for the dr.'s to tell you right? I also don't envy your situation and honestly don't know what I'd do. I know I'm NOT getting any vaccination for it but I just don't know anything about Tamiflu. If you are generally healthy and you get it, its' like a bad cold right? I might would opt not to, just don't know :(
If it was me I would take it, & I am NOT a big fan of meds when not needed. BUT in this case, it's not worth the risk, IMO.
Keep safe, & I hope you don't get it ;-/ & I HOPE your dd's get better soon!!!!!
Keep safe, & I hope you don't get it ;-/ & I HOPE your dd's get better soon!!!!!
Nope, I have no symptoms. I'm not sick. Yet, anyhow. I might not get it at all. My 17 year old daughter is actually quite ill right now. She hasn't come out of her room at all today. I keep having to check on her. I called Labor and Delivery and talked with a doctor again about this. All they can tell me is that their recommendation for pregnant women, especially in the third trimester, is to take Tamiflu even without symptoms if there has been exposure but that it is my decision. I just cannot decide which way to go but I'm leaning towards not taking the Tamiflu. However, if I get very sick, I will regret that decision as well. UGH...
I guess the one question I would ask is whether or not one should take Tamiflu if one isn't exhibiting symptoms. I assume you're not yet exhibiting symptoms?
Is there a H1N1 list on MedHelp? Maybe someone there can help with more information.
Is there a H1N1 list on MedHelp? Maybe someone there can help with more information.
Read this from the CDC on tamiflu in pregnancy:
http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1flu/pregnancy/antiviral_messages.htm
I don't envy your decision, but know that whatever you decide is the best decision given the circumstance.
http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1flu/pregnancy/antiviral_messages.htm
I don't envy your decision, but know that whatever you decide is the best decision given the circumstance.
Oh wow...how scary! I would probably take the tamiflu...especially since your ob is recommending it. The complications associated with H1N1 are so much more serious for you, since you're pregnant, that personally I think that outweighs any possible side effects of the tamiflu. But I'm definitely no expert.
Does your ob have any experience with tamiflu and other pregnant women? It might help if he or she can share with you some examples of others who used it without complications.
I hope you and your little one stay healthy no matter what decision you end up making!
Does your ob have any experience with tamiflu and other pregnant women? It might help if he or she can share with you some examples of others who used it without complications.
I hope you and your little one stay healthy no matter what decision you end up making!
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