Taking Tamiflu and finding out you don't have the flu??

My Husband was diagnosed by the doctor with swine flu...he did a culture but said it takes a week to get results.
prescribed both of us tamiflu

I find out it was not Flu.

So is this bad we took tamiflu for no reason?

Can i find a doctor that does in office cultures and finds results out faster than a week???
or is this standard procedure?

Re: Taking Tamiflu and finding out you don't have the flu??

Re: Taking Tamiflu and finding out you don't have the flu??

There would have been a lot more harm in waiting a week to later find out you do, in fact, have the flu. Tamiflu needs to be started right away (within 36 hours of symptoms) to be most effective.

Tamiflu isn't only for the flu - it's an antiviral, so for other viruses as well. I don't think there is any harm in taking it, as he may have had a viral infection even if it wasn't swine flu.

ETA -- They also sometimes give Tamiflu to family members of people with the flu. Those take it as a preventative mainly. No harm there.

Message edited 12/4/2009 12:30:10 PM.