Does liquid Tamiflu (oral suspensions) need to be shaken? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends people with the flu to stay home until 24 hours after they are fever free without the use of a fever-reducing medication. The content on Healthgrades does not provide medical advice. Ask the pharmacist how long to keep the medicine, and then throw away the unused medicine after that time. What are the serious side effects of Tamiflu? Influenzae is contagious for as long as the person is shedding virus. Please note, we cannot prescribe controlled substances, diet pills, antipsychotics, or other commonly abused medications. Q. The second stage of the flu is actually day one. Xofluza must be taken within the first two days (48 hours) after flu symptoms begin. It spreads through contact with an infected persons stool or vomit. The virus can live on hard surfaces for up to 48 hours. (Wash your hands more often when youre sick to prevent spreading your germs to those around you.). Most people who get the flu feel the worst symptoms on the second or third day. My kids 9&7 & I have had flu since Sunday night and started tamiflu (oseltamivir) Mon night. When you have the flu (influenza), you're most contagious from 24 hours before symptoms begin through the first three to five days of the illness. Q. For potential or actual medical emergencies, immediately call 911 or your local emergency service. Thats why keeping your distance as much as possible for several days is important.. Yes, Tamiflu is available as a liquid (oral suspension) and as oral capsules of different sizes. i had a low-grade fever but have been fever free since yesterday morning while on tamiflu (oseltamivir). I tested positive for the flu two days ago. US Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, "Flu: What To Do If You Get Sick". Q. People at Higher Risk of Flu Complications. For these, please consult a doctor (virtually or in person). Nobody really knows when one person stops being contagious with influenza (with or without Tamiflu treatment). Typically, you're contagious from 1 day before you have any symptoms. Avoiding being around people who are sick whenever possible. 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Children and adults with weakened immune systems may be contagious even longer. may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 to 7 days after becoming sick. ) Tamiflu is also sometimes used for prevention (prophylaxis) of the flu in people 1 year of age and older, but it is not a substitute for getting the flu vaccine. Proper handwashing goes a long way to prevent the spread of germs." FDA encourages consumers to report any side effects and medication errors from Tamiflu to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may still have a lingering cough. Q. Any flu symptoms can last as long as one to two weeks. Taking Tamiflu with food may lessen the chance of getting these side effects. Saving Lives, Protecting People, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD), Reconstruction of the 1918 Influenza Pandemic Virus, 2022-2023 Preliminary In-Season Burden Estimate, Who is at Higher Risk of Flu Complications, Flu and COVID-19 Vaccine Coadministration, Who Should & Who Should NOT Get Vaccinated, Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (LAIV)/Nasal Spray Vaccine, Selecting Viruses for the Seasonal Influenza Vaccine, Flu Vaccine and People with Egg Allergies, Frequently Asked Questions on Vaccine Supply, Historical Reference of Vaccine Doses Distributed, Hospitalized Adult Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness Network (HAIVEN), Investigating Respiratory Viruses in the Acutely Ill (IVY), Respiratory Virus Transmission Network (RVTN), Randomized Assessment of Influenza Vaccine Efficacy Network (RAIVEN), How Vaccine Effectiveness and Efficacy are Measured, What People with a Staph Infection Should Know about Flu, Resources for Hosting a Vaccination Clinic, Overview of Influenza Surveillance in the United States, Influenza Hospitalization Surveillance Network (FluSurv-NET), Weekly U.S. If flu symptoms do not go away, or if new symptoms develop while taking Tamiflu, people should contact their healthcare provider. You can spread the flu to others a day before you feel sick and for several days after. To learn more, please visit our, According to the centers for disease control and prevention (cdc), most healthy. More information on flu vaccines and other flu control measures is available on the Flu.gov website. WE ARE THE AGGIES, THE AGGIES ARE WE After flu symptoms start, adults can spread the virus for five to 10 days. I got the flu and since monday night i have been taking tamiflu (oseltamivir). Clinical Infectious Diseases, March 2010.KidsHealth: Influenza (Flu)., Medscape: Influenza Practice Essentials., U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Flu.gov: Interim Guidance on Environmental Management of Pandemic Influenza Virus., UK National Health Service NHS Choices: Flu.. I don't want my 4monthold sick. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. If you have a low-grade fever, and you feel fine, you can participate in your usual day-to-day activities, but you need to listen to your body. She recommends if you start to feel achy, begin to sweat or develop a headache, then take your temperature again, then go home. You stay that way for 5 to 7 days after you start feeling sick. However, the flu affects different people in different ways. The day after that, you may start feeling ill yourself. HealthTap uses cookies to enhance your site experience and for analytics and advertising purposes. The same rules apply even if you have taken a flu antiviral drug like Tamiflu. Remember that you are still contagious, so try to stay away from other people. Researchers find that taking oseltamivir within 48 hours of symptom onset can shave approximately 1 day from a typical seven-to-10-day illness. For the millions of Americans who experience seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, this depression lingers for long periods of time and can feel crushing. Washing your hands is the No. Cookies used to make website functionality more relevant to you. Am i still contagious? When everything is flavored with pumpkin spice. A. Your healthcare provider will tell you how to take Tamiflu. Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. 4 year old was exposed to flu on Wed. Less often, a person might get flu by touching a surface or object that has flu virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. "In many cases, just because you or your children are fever free and can return to work or school does not mean you are no longer contagious. When the leaveschange colors. Tamiflu is most effective when taken within the first 48 hours of the onset of symptoms. If you wait it out a few days, chances are youll already be through the worst of your symptoms anyway, so the medication isnt going to be as helpful at that point., Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Day four can be a turning point flu stage. Headache, sudden high fever, body aches, chills, and tiredness are among the most common early symptoms of the flu. Began sat. Because you are still contagious after the fever subsides, Pittman emphasizes the importance of handwashing and taking extra care to contain your cough or sneeze. The flu shot is your best defense against the flu, Dr. Mossad stresses. How long after tamiflu are you contagious? At this flu stage, you will probably still be tired. More About Tamiflu Tamiflu Drug Basics and Uses The main way people can infect each other with flu is being in close proximity of each other, he adds. The flu is contagious from the day before you start showing symptoms till approximately five to seven days after your symptoms start. This means if you are exposed to the influenza virus and become infected, you will start to getflu symptoms, such as fever and body aches,anywhere between 24 hours and four days after the exposure. When counting those who are carrying the virus without feeling sick, its believed that infection rates are closer to about 20% of the population. CDC: How Flu Spreads, Flu & You.. At some times there might not be enough of the pre-packaged liquid Tamiflu made by the manufacturer. However, this will make your cough more productive and possibly worse than it was the day before. If you have the flu, you'll be contagious one day before. People with head lice should not return to school or work until treatment has begun, Pittman said. Anyone around you can breathe in those droplets that contain the influenza virus. By the next day, you can start passing the flu to others. Q. Treatment is used when a person is given Tamiflu because they have the signs and symptoms of the flu or have been diagnosed with the flu. Taking antiviral medications within 48 hours of when your symptoms first appear can help prevent complications and may shorten the amount of time you are sick. Know, too, that symptoms of the flu and symptoms of COVID-19 are easily confused. I have a 5 year old and a 7 week old and I'm concerned for their health. However, infants and people with weakened immune systems who are infected with flu viruses may be contagious for longer than seven days. The contagious period varies depending on age group and viral load: Adults with the flu are most contagious in the first 3-4 days of the illness. may shorten this by a day, but there is actually little data looking at your question. Am I contagious after getting the flu vaccine, How long after starting vanco am I contagious with cdiff, How long after taking ivermectin for scabies am I still contagious, How long am I contagious with a viral infection, How long is flu contagious after fever breaks. Han A, Poon JL, Powers JH 3rd, Leidy NK, Yu R, Memoli MJ. When it comes to the flu, an ounce of prevention really is worth a pound of cure. Most generally healthy people will start to "bounce back" from the flu after about five days. The same rule of thumb goes for adults too. Youre exposed to the flu virus when you breathe the droplets in, or if they land in your mouth, nose, or eyes. The Tamiflu (oseltamivir) will shorten the course of the flu, but it must be taken soon after the onset of symptoms. Take it exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. What do I use to give liquid Tamiflu (oral suspension)? We serve our state, nation, communities and you. zeynab.siahnouri 27 Jan 2012. Get prescriptions or refills through a video chat, if the doctor feels the prescriptions are medically appropriate. Remember, your body is still recovering from being ill. At this flu stage, you may still have a slight cough. 2018;18(1):353. doi:10.1186/s12879-018-3220-8. A person can also get the flu by touching a surface or object that has the flu virus on it, then touching their mouth, nose, or eyes. Q. Who Is Most Likely to Have Flu Complications? Sick people sneeze or cough out beads of moisture that contain the flu virus. am i still contagious? Hayward, A. Stay at home except to get medical care or other necessitiesfor at least 24 hours after your fever is gone. The risk of infecting others often ends about day 5 to 7 of the illness. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. A. Tamiflu may be of benefit for some pregnant and nursing women. You can also get it if you touch a place those droplets land -- like a desk, counter, or doorknob -- and then touch your face. Typically, youre contagious from 1 day before you have any symptoms. I got the flu and since monday night i have been taking tamiflu (oseltamivir). No. At this point, you are still contagious. You may have a secondary infection, such as bronchitis or an ear or sinus infection, that needs to be treated with antibiotics. Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, COVID Could Reactivate Chronic Fatigue Symptoms, Climate Change Harms Physical and Mental Health, Most Cancers Are Not Found Through Screenings, New Blood Test Could Spot Alzheimers Earlier, Dr. Whyte's Book: Take Control of Your Diabetes Risk, Street Medicine Reaches People Where They Live, Health News and Information, Delivered to Your Inbox, Personalized Treatments for Your Cold Symptoms, Prescription Drugs for Heartburn and Reflux. Influenza Surveillance Report (FluView), Previous Forecasts for the 2021-2022 Season, Tools to Prepare Your Practice for Flu Season, Information for Clinicians on Influenza Virus Testing, Multiplex Assays Authorized for Simultaneous Detection of Influenza Viruses and SARS-CoV-2, Information on Collection of Respiratory Specimens for Influenza Virus Testing, Information for Clinicians on Rapid Diagnostic Testing for Influenza, Information on Rapid Molecular Assays, RT-PCR, and other Molecular Assays for Diagnosis of Influenza Virus Infection, Algorithm: Interpreting Influenza Testing Results When Influenza is Circulating, Algorithm: Interpreting Influenza Testing Results When Influenza is NOT Circulating, Guide: Influenza Diagnostic Testing in Closed Setting Outbreaks, Guidance: Standard-Based Electronic Laboratory Reporting, Guidance: Antiviral and Obstetric Health Care, Guidance: Outbreak Management in Long-Term Care Facilities, Guidance: Use of Mask to Control Influenza Transmission, Guidance: Prevention & Control in Peri- and Postpartum Settings, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. While it's possible to be contagious for seven days, the rule of thumb as per the recommendations of the . Your best bet to prevent the flu is to get your annual flu vaccine. Influenza (Flu) in Children. am i contagious? Depending on your place of work, you may need to check company policy, Pittman said. This helps some patients if it is started soon enough. While you may feel better for part of the day, it is still important to get rest and plenty of fluids. Flu viruses can be detected in most infected persons beginning one day beforesymptoms develop and up to five to seven daysafterbecoming sick. You are still contagious for 7 days after the symptoms began, even if you feel better. You should always seek a healthcare professional if you or your child has symptoms that are severe or unusual, such as shortness of breath or a high temperature, especially in children under six months of age, said Pittman. 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