Our entire family is currently fighting what is presumed to be H1N1. But this whole ordeal has frustrated me for a couple of reasons: We aren't 100% sure we have H1N1 and, although children are at higher risk, we were only able to get Tamiflu for the adults.
- Uncertainty and future vaccinations
Because we were never tested, we have questions about whether to get my daughter vaccinated at school when they vaccinations finally arrive. The small amount of research I've done so far suggests we should go ahead and let the school vaccinate my daughter. We're left wondering if we should actively seek out the vaccine for the rest of us.
- Tamiflu supply
My children were the first to get sick. I immediately called the pediatrician, and they were clearly overwhelmed. They offered nothing but the standard advice on dealing with a high fever. My 3 year old ended up in the ER because of vomiting, uncontrolled fever, and hallucinations. The doctor there said "unfortunately, we can't offer Tamiflu since he doesn't have an underlying condition."
After my spouse and I got sick the next day, a single call to our doctor netted two adult prescriptions for Tamiflu no questions asked. If children are a greater risk for serious illness from H1N1, wouldn't it make sense that THEY get priority for flu-treatments like Tamiflu?
Apparently, there is a potential shortage of child-doses of Tamiflu:
Tamiflu for Kids in Short Supply
Children get a liquid form, but:
The Swiss drug maker Roche, Ashton said, is shifting its production focus to pills, which are more easily made, so there may be a "relative" shortage of the liquid form.
One solution involves altering adult dose pills to give a pediatric dose.
"But that gets into a dosage issue, which has been very confusing," she said. "And parents need to ask the pharmacist and the doctor to be sure they're giving the right dose -- because it can be confusing -- even for physicians."
Considering that it was an incorrect dosage of Tylenol suppositories that ultimately sent my son to the ER, I can attest to the fact that medical professionals don't always get the dosage right.
I wrote Roche to ask that they consider upping their production of liquid Tamiflu so that we can protect our children. If you agree, perhaps you'll consider doing the same.
Contact Roche