How long does it take to recover from Tamiflu? Doctors typically provide answers within 24 hours. Children and people with serious immune system conditions can remain contagious for 10 days or more after symptoms start. Tamiflu is used to treat people 2 weeks of age and older who have the flu (influenza A and B viruses). These cookies perform functions like remembering presentation options or choices and, in some cases, delivery of web content that based on self-identified area of interests. By the next day, you can start passing the flu to others. Youll be most contagious with the flu for the first three or four days after you actually feel sick. Most people are contagious with a cold a day before they notice symptoms until about a week after the onset of symptoms, Pittman said. The flu is contagious about one day before symptoms begin and up to a week after symptoms start. Educational text answers on HealthTap are not intended for individual diagnosis, treatment or prescription. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. You may have a secondary infection, such as bronchitis or an ear or sinus infection, that needs to be treated with antibiotics. Influenza commonly circulates in the United States between October and April. Sick people sneeze or cough out beads of moisture that contain the flu virus. Cookies used to make website functionality more relevant to you. Not everyone who gets the flu will have the same symptoms. It reduces the severity and length of illness. Influenzae is contagious for as long as the person is shedding virus. The second stage of the flu is actually day one. The average incubation period for the flu is two days. Copyright 2023 Healthgrades Marketplace, LLC, Patent US Nos. People with flu are most contagious in the first three to four days after their illness begins. The stages of flu recovery generally follow a predictable pattern. It does not treat the flu. A. 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved. If a rash develops, stop taking Tamiflu and contact a healthcare provider right away. Headache, sudden high fever, body aches, chills, and tiredness are among the most common early symptoms of the flu. Salmonella Shows Up in Surprising Places, Chest Pain: 3 Signs Its Not a Heart Attack and Possible Causes. At some times there might not be enough of the pre-packaged liquid Tamiflu made by the manufacturer. Most adults will be prescribed 75 mg of Tamiflu twice a day for five days to treat the flu. Pregnant and nursing womenare advised to talk with a healthcare professionalbefore using Tamiflu. According to the US CDC, the flu and Covid-19 share very similar symptoms. Most people can. If a person would have produced immunity to a strain of influenza virus without taking Tamiflu, she should still produce immunity even while taking Ta Tamiflu (oseltamivir) per the cdc should be used in people with documented flu who have other serious health problems to help them get over the flu. That means without the help of medicines. Your provider may ask you to come in for a rapid flu test or prescribe an antiviral medicationlikeTamiflu (oseltamivir). How long is the flu contagious? We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Stay home, get some rest, use over-the-counter fever-reducing medication and up your fluid intake. Behavioral changes are often the very first signs your child is coming down with something.. How long are you contagious? Once the number of infected cells reaches a certain point, Tamiflu and other antivirals can no longer effectively contain the virus. Tamiflu is most effective when taken within the first 48 hours of the onset of symptoms. The most active period of. Read our. Get prescriptions or refills through a video chat, if the doctor feels the prescriptions are medically appropriate. The CDC recommends to call your primary care provider if cold symptoms last longer than 10 days, or if a child younger than three months of age is showing symptoms. Wash your hands thoroughly for about 20 seconds with soap and water. 2 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. When everything is flavored with pumpkin spice. It does not treat the flu. The risk of infecting others often ends about day 5 to 7 of the illness. This will help prevent you from spreading the virus to others. Whether a child or an adult, Alison Pittman, PhD, RN, CPN, CNE, clinical assistant professor at the Texas A&M College of Nursing, gives some basic guidelines on how to tell if you should stay home with a short-term, possibly contagious illness. Some people can be infected with flu viruses and have no symptoms but may still be able to spread the virus to their close contacts. Some pharmacies may need to make a liquid for patients from the pills instead. A. Tamiflu (oseltamivir phosphate) is an antiviral drug. Educational text answers on HealthTap are not intended for individual diagnosis, treatment or prescription. If my husband && i both just got over the flu, should i get tamiflu (oseltamivir) for my 2 year old? The most common side effects of Tamiflu are nausea and vomiting. Several . And when do you start being contagious? These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby (usually within about 6 feet away) or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. Any flu symptoms can last as long as one to two weeks. When counting those who are carrying the virus without feeling sick, its believed that infection rates are closer to about 20% of the population. We serve our state, nation, communities and you. - still contagious? Nobody really knows when one person stops being contagious with influenza (with or without Tamiflu treatment). I had the swine flu. More information on flu vaccines and other flu control measures is available on the Flu.gov website. Your sore throat, body aches, and congestion will be severe. Cookies used to enable you to share pages and content that you find interesting on CDC.gov through third party social networking and other websites. Should women who are pregnant or nursing take Tamiflu? Q. HealthTap uses cookies to enhance your site experience and for analytics and advertising purposes. You can spread the flu to others a day before you feel sick and for several days after. Proper handwashing goes a long way to prevent the spread of germs.. The clock starts ticking on your ability to infect others before your symptoms even appear, though. Family Medicine 34 years experience. You should stay home for at least 24 hours after your temperature goes back down on its own. Do I take Tamiflu the same way for treatment and prevention (prophylaxis) of the flu? Our servers have detected that you are accessing this site from a restricted area. The same rule of thumb goes for adults too. Just started tamiflu (oseltamivir). Why Are Some Flu Seasons Worse Than Others? 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. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. ", US Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, "How Flu Spreads". Research shows that, whether you realize it or not, you probably touch your face an average of 23 times each hour. For potential or actual medical emergencies, immediately call 911 or your local emergency service. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. At this point, you are still contagious. This can happen in two ways. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. The flu vaccine and preventive measures like proper hand hygiene are the best defenses for protecting yourself from the many, many strains of flu. The stages of flu recovery tend to follow a day-by-day progression. Rare cases of allergic reactions, including serious skin rashes, have happened in people who take Tamiflu. When your cozy sweater comes back from its summer vacation in the back of your closet. A registered nurse with more than 25 years of experience in oncology, labor/delivery, neonatal intensive care, infertility and ophthalmology, Sharon Perkins has also coauthored and edited numerous health books for the Wiley "Dummies" series. No, a pharmacist should mix Tamiflu liquid before giving it to you. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Congestion, coughing, and fever may have you feeling like even your eyelids hurt. Often, this question comes with an internal back and forth about whether youor your childrenshould stay home or not. You can still make other people sick even if youre taking antiviral mediations that treat the flu. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. You should no longer have a fever by this stage of flu recovery. The flu is transmitted between people through tiny droplets that escape from the body when an infected person sneezes, coughs, or talks. The study also found that in a small number of cases, infection transmission occurred before symptoms appeared. Things You Shouldn't Do When You Have the Flu. Dr. Carly McCord, licensed psychologist and director of the Texas A&M Health Telebehavioral Care program, explains SAD and recommends ways to manage it at the link in our bio. I don't want my 4monthold sick. Most people who get the flu feel the worst symptoms on the second or third day. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most generally healthy people will start to "bounce back" from the flu after about five days. If you are used to exercising regularly, you should be fine to work out againjust don't go overboard with your workouts. How Do You Treat Body Aches Caused By the Flu? Privacy Policy|Advertising Policy|Privacy Preferences Center|Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Remember that you are still contagious, so try to stay away from other people. Be sure to get your flu vaccine, wash your hands often, and avoid people who are sick with the flu. They can travel up to 6 feet. I got flu at the start of january and had tamiflu. If you were exposed to the flu and contracted it, you would experience symptoms within four days. Always follow the health policies at your school or workplace.. Viral infections like colds and upper respiratory infections usually need to run its course. 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. Your best bet to prevent the flu is to get your annual flu vaccine. Influenza (Flu) Treatment: What You Need to Know. If you are vaccinated against the flu, your body will have a chance to fight it off before it spreads in your body and you are less likely to pass it on to other people or get sick yourself. Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. Top answers from doctors based on your search: Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. Stay home until you are fever free for 24 hours without the help of a fever-reducing medication. Get our printable guide for your next healthcare provider's appointment to help you ask the right questions. Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. By Kristina Duda, RN Researchers find that taking oseltamivir within 48 hours of symptom onset can shave approximately 1 day from a typical seven-to-10-day illness. 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. The virus is most contagious before symptoms and during the first three to five days. Its coming: pumpkin spice everything and flu season. Rashes can be a symptom for many things like allergic reactions, chicken pox, impetigo, hands foot and mouth, and shingles. Check with your employer for any specific procedures. How to Keep Your Kids Healthy When They Go to Daycare, Top 6 Winter Health Hazards and How To Beat Them, Is Any Food Safe? This helps some patients if it is started soon enough. Your fever is likely to have broken, you shouldn't have as many body aches, and any congestion you've been having should start to loosen up. No. You should only use the medication for as long as your healthcare provider has directed. Clinical Infectious Diseases: Effects of Oseltamivir Treatment on Duration of Clinical Illness and Viral Shedding, and Household Transmission of Influenza Virus, Journal of the American Medical Association: Effectiveness of Oseltamivir in Preventing Influenza in Household Contacts, Epidemiology and Infection: Delayed Oseltamivir Treatment Is Associated With Longer Viral Shedding of Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 Virus. 2. These particles can be breathed into the mouths or noses of people nearby. Cover your coughand do everything you can to avoid being around people that are at high risk for serious complications from the flu. Am i still contagious? Before and after treating a cut, sore or wound. Q. The term "flu" refers to illness caused by the influenza virus. Related medical questions What is the difference between Xofluza and Tamiflu? You can also get it if you touch a place those droplets land -- like a desk, counter, or doorknob -- and then touch your face. The flu shot is your best defense against the flu, Dr. Mossad stresses. Some schools and workplaces have specific guidelines for when you can return to work after the flu or other sicknesses. If you experience gastrointestinal symptoms like vomiting or diarrhea, they will be bad today as well. The most common side effects of Tamiflu are nausea and vomiting. Sick people sneeze or cough out beads of moisture that contain the flu virus. So the antiviral drug oseltamivir (Tamiflu), which helps your body bounce back faster from flu, holds a lot of appeal. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Q. These serious side effects may happen shortly after beginning Tamiflu or may happen in people when the flu is not treated. Symptoms will improve as days pass, but you may still be contagious. Q. You Can Have the Flu and a Negative Rapid Flu Test. The flu is a viral infection that affects the nose, throat, and lungs. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website. In order for them to work, youll want to talk with your doctor early. You will learn which flu symptoms appear in each flu stage, when you're contagious, and what you can do to feel better as the flu progresses. The incubation period for the flu ranges from one to four days. Another possibility is that those droplets you sneezed, coughed, or breathed out land on objects and the next person that touches that object and then touches their eyes, mouth, or nose can be infected. The influenza virus is contagious from about 24 hours before symptoms appear for up to 10 days after. If liquid Tamiflu is not available and you have capsules that give the right dose (30 mg, 45 mg or 75 mg), you may pull open the Tamiflu capsules and mix the powder with a small amount of sweetened liquid such as regular or sugar-free chocolate syrup. Cookies used to track the effectiveness of CDC public health campaigns through clickthrough data. Help Millions of people find the right doctor and care they need, Get immediate care and visit with providers from the comfort of your home, or anywhere, Urgent care centers can be faster and cheaper for situations that are not life threatening, Doctors and patients discuss the latest medical treatments and health tips, Search prescription drugs for why theyre used, side effects and more, Back and Neck Surgery (Except Spinal Fusion). And remember you and your family should get the annual flu vaccine. Even if you dont show flu symptoms, you still can spread it to others. Q. Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. If you need to go back and make any changes, you can always do so by going to our Privacy Policy page. This content is not available in your current region. Now youre about to use those hands to rub your eyes. The next flu stage is the second day of having the fluwhich can be pretty miserable. Read our. The CDC recommends four FDA-approved drugs to treat the flu: baloxavir marboxil (Xofluza),oseltamivir (Tamiflu), peramivir (Rapivab), and zanamivir (Relenza). The number of times a day (frequency) and the number of days (duration) that you take Tamiflu are different for treatment and prevention of the flu. You are still contagious for 7 days after the symptoms began, even if you feel better. The CDCs recommendation is to stay home until you are fever free for 24 hours without the help of a fever reducer.. At this flu stage, you will probably still be tired. Persons are most contagious during the 24 hours before symptoms appear and may be contagious for up to 5 -7 days after getting sick. But how long will you be contagious, you wonder? It does this by binding to a coating, called neuraminidase, that's found on the surface of the virus. If you don't have a fever but you still have symptoms, you should wait until your symptoms have improved and it's been at least four to five days since you started to feel sick. How is tamiflu (oseltamivir) for the flu? Do not return to work or send your children with rashes to school until your provider gives you the go ahead.. CDC twenty four seven. Headache, sudden high fever, body aches, chills, and tiredness are among the most common early symptoms of the flu. Youre exposed to the flu virus when you breathe the droplets in, or if they land in your mouth, nose, or eyes. A. Does Tamiflu come in a liquid as well as capsules? Even if you think it won't be serious for you if you get it, it might be for someone you pass it to. Other people who develop complications, such as pneumonia, may extend the contagious period for a week or two. Still, for Tamiflu to be most effective, the first dose needs to be taken within 48 hours (2 days) after symptoms begin, and the full course of treatment should be completed. Most of the time, you will become contagious about 24 to 72 hours after contracting the influenza virus and remain that way for up to five days after the onset of symptoms. If you are not starting to feel better by day five and your symptoms are getting worse, call your healthcare provider. If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor its performance. Contrary to popular belief,it's not due to cold weather. You stay that way for 5 to 7 days after you start feeling sick. Other important parts of avoiding flu include avoiding unnecessary close contact between sick and well people, covering coughs and sneezes, and washing hands frequently. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. Does liquid Tamiflu (oral suspensions) need to be shaken? They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. 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. At this time, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that pregnant women who are sick from influenza should be treated with a flu drug because of concerns that they could develop more severe illness. Flu viruses can be detected in infected people 1 day before symptoms begin and up to 5-7 days after getting sick. How long after tamiflu are you contagious? Stay home when you are sick. The day before flu symptoms appear, you are already contagious. Which day of having the flu is the worst? Your children would qualify for tamiflu (oseltamivir) to help prevent illness. Get answers from Infectious Disease Specialists and top U.S. doctors, Our doctors evaluate, diagnose, prescribe, order lab tests, and recommend follow-up care. Get prescriptions or refills through a video chat, if the doctor feels the prescriptions are medically appropriate. Thank you for taking the time to confirm your preferences. A. Adults and children 1 year of age and older can be correctly dosed with capsules even if they can not swallow the capsules. If you feel that it's not improving, let your provider know. A low-grade fever is any temperature above 98.6 degrees but below 100.4 degrees. Did you know that you can spread the flu to others a day before you even feel sick, and for several days after? Also been over 24 hours since fever. There's a spectrum here. You were just the at the border l. Read More Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. may shorten this by a day, but there is actually little data looking at your question. Pittman says low-grade fevers are a good thing, because your body is actively fighting an infection. 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. Am i still contagious? Can you be around someone with the flu and not catch it? Proper handwashing goes a long way to prevent the spread of germs." 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. Typically, you're contagious from 1 day before you have any symptoms. Please note, we cannot prescribe controlled substances, diet pills, antipsychotics, or other abusable medications. Thats because the more you cough and sneeze, the more droplets you shoot into the air and onto objects around you. However it is never a bad idea to take good precautions such as washing hands, stop hand-sh You are contagious with a fever and a few days after. However, this will make your cough more productive and possibly worse than it was the day before. It can only mean one thing. Yes, shake liquid Tamiflu well each time before you give it. Early treatment equals better results. "Rural communities in Texas are the backbone of so much of our economy, he said. The contagious period for the flu begins about 1 day before symptoms start and can last as long as 5-7 days from when you first felt sick. The flu can range from mild common cold symptoms, to the typical "flu" symptoms described above, to life-threatening pneumonia and other complications, including secondary bacterial infections. If youre sick and think its the flu, keep your distance to keep it to yourself. Add that to the number of people who try to push through their symptoms and expose others to their germs when they are sick,and it's easy to see why the flu affects so many people each year. You should always follow the directions on the medicine label for how much and how often to give the medication. 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. Please note, we cannot prescribe controlled substances, diet pills, antipsychotics, or other abusable medications. You should speak with your healthcare provider if you have any questions. Tamiflu (oseltamivir) is an antiviral drug that can shorten the duration of influenza (flu) symptoms. Kristina Duda, BSN, RN, CPN, has been working in healthcare since 2002. Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Rural hospitals are more than health care providers. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. For these, please consult a doctor (virtually or in person). I have the flu and i'm currently on tamiflu (oseltamivir). Pedi. From the WebMD Archives. If you are still unsure how long you should stay home or keep your children home, then ask your primary care provider. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely. More About Tamiflu Tamiflu Drug Basics and Uses Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship.