I think I have the FLU

[brittandan]

Is there really any reason to go to doc if it is the REAL flu? I've got severe moist productive cough, aching muscles, headache, weakness, fever, laryngitis. Nose is occasionally runny. I've been taking otc meds non stop and nothing is working. DH wants me to go to ER today (only day he's home for next few weeks), but it costs us 200.00 to go to ER. If a virus there's nothing they can do anyway, right?

[Doglover8180]

If it is the flu, the over the counter stuff (I think) won't fix it. I think one has to take Theraflu to get rid of the true flu.

But a regular doctor's office is able to prescribe the Theraflu just like the hospital can.

[CW&M Mom]

How long have you had it?


They can prescribe tamiflu but you have to have it less then 24 yours or it won't work.

[lovemygirls]

Tamiflu may help. See the following info off the website.

Tamiflu is a prescription flu medicine that may help stop the flu from spreading inside the body1 and is clinically proven to help you get better 30% faster (1.3 days) when taken within 48 hours of first symptoms.14
Tamiflu is prescribed for treating adults and children 1 year and older with influenza (flu) whose symptoms started within the last day or two.1 Tamiflu may also reduce the chance of getting the flu in patients 1 year and older.22, 23
In a clinical study, adult and adolescent patients 13 years and older who took Tamiflu within 40 hours of experiencing flu symptoms recovered 30% (1.3 days) faster than patients who didn’t take Tamiflu.14
Tamiflu must be prescribed by a doctor, so if you have flu symptoms, don’t delay. Call your doctor right away.

[CW&M Mom]

FYI there is no guarantee the ER will give you tamiflu even with a positive flu test.

Do you feel like you've been hit by a mac truck? Like the worst cold you have ever gotten in your life? How high of a fever? How fast did it come on? Did you feel it like a cold coming on, or were good fine one minute and all of the sudden you were sick as a dog?

I'm saying this because some ER's and doctors are leery of giving out tamiflu unless you have a preexisting condition (like asthma) because the flu viruses start mutating when too many people take it. However if your pregnant, have a preexisting or are taking care of small children you should go regardless.

**if your under the allotted time, you could probably call and ask them if they are giving out tamiflu to those getting positive flu tests. Also if you have any walk in clinics those might be cheaper then the ER.

[Doglover8180]

I always thought that if you had the true flu, one would have to have the tamiflu in order to get well from it.... riding it out won't do anything but let you get sicker. Is this not accurate?

Also, how on earth are people going to get to the doctor within 24 hours... the start of the flu, may be resemble allergies - it often takes a few more days before you even realize you got something alot worse then a cold.

[CouponQueen23]

Talk about being put between a rock and a hard place.. Putting a price tag on your health is a hard thing to do. Not to scare you but I worked with a guy who lost his wife because she was so sick but didn't want to go to the dr for just a common cold or the flu or what not she figured it would go way. Come to find out it was phenomena and she died, she left her husband with 3 young kids. It was really hard on him and basically because of money issue she didn't go, I would look into and urgent care office something or get in first thing in the am. If is bad enough your Dh thinks you should go it probley is worth having it checked out.

[CW&M Mom]

I always thought that if you had the true flu, one would have to have the tamiflu in order to get well from it.... riding it out won't do anything but let you get sicker. Is this not accurate?

Also, how on earth are people going to get to the doctor within 24 hours... the start of the flu, may be resemble allergies - it often takes a few more days before you even realize you got something alot worse then a cold.

You get extremely sick very quickly when you get influenza...no one will think they are having allergies unless they are an idiot. You feel awful!

I have had influenza one time. Colds..I don't know how many times. They were completely different. Colds come on gradually..you usually can tell you "possibly" are coming down with something..your throat starts to get sore, your nose starts to run or gets stuffy.

With influenza within minutes your nose starts to run like mad, you start hacking, your running a fever and you feel like crap. And an hour before you felt fine. However there are viruses that mimic flu that are not actual true influenza and are just "bad colds"...where you feel more crummy then normal. But true influenza you can't get out of bed, you can't go to work, it's THAT BAD.

The hard thing with influenza is sometimes you get a secondary infection with it..aka pneumonia..this is what often kills people..and by the time that hits tamiflu won't help...it's too late.

[brittandan]

You get extremely sick very quickly when you get influenza...no one will think they are having allergies unless they are an idiot. You feel awful!

I have had influenza one time. Colds..I don't know how many times. They were completely different. Colds come on gradually..you usually can tell you "possibly" are coming down with something..your throat starts to get sore, your nose starts to run or gets stuffy.

With influenza within minutes your nose starts to run like mad, you start hacking, your running a fever and you feel like crap. And an hour before you felt fine. However there are viruses that mimic flu that are not actual true influenza and are just "bad colds"...where you feel more crummy then normal. But true influenza you can't get out of bed, you can't go to work, it's THAT BAD.

The hard thing with influenza is sometimes you get a secondary infection with it..aka pneumonia..this is what often kills people..and by the time that hits tamiflu won't help...it's too late.

I forgot about the sudden onset for flu. It was gradual. Started Thanksgiving day and has continued to get worse until this Friday. Then it has stayed about the same no better no worse. You're probably right about a secondary infection. I hate taking antibiotics though. I think they are way over prescribed. Will discuss with DH about whether to go tonight or to office in am. Office visit will cost around 100 anyway. (None of my deductible has been used this year) Closest med express is 35 miles away. Thanks for the advice everyone.

[CW&M Mom]

I forgot about the sudden onset for flu. It was gradual. Started Thanksgiving day and has continued to get worse until this Friday. Then it has stayed about the same no better no worse. You're probably right about a secondary infection. I hate taking antibiotics though. I think they are way over prescribed. Will discuss with DH about whether to go tonight or to office in am. Office visit will cost around 100 anyway. (None of my deductible has been used this year) Closest med express is 35 miles away. Thanks for the advice everyone.

You might have bronchitis..that would need a script like zithro as well. IF you have had this since Thanksgiving (and it was influenza) they will not prescribe you tamiflu but they can rule out a secondary infection just in case...but it doesn't sound like influenza luckily.