7 Answers on Tamiflu: Is It Best to Help You Fight Flu? Although Tamiflu can reduce the flu by roughly 1 to 2 days, the flu vaccine is still the best option for fighting flu. (NewsTarget) Concerned about using Tamiflu if the second, much worse swine flu breakout comes as promoted and promised? You should be. Besides the insufficient supply that is getting closer to its expiration date, Tamiflu is only partially effective. Doctors give trusted answers on uses, effects, side-effects, and cautions: Dr. Holt on how long am i contagious with the flu after taking tamiflu: The incubation period (time from contracting virus to time of symptoms) about 18-72 hours and viral shedding (contagious) start just around enset of symptoms or a bit before and continue for about 5. It is usually OK to get a flu vaccine when using antibiotics; there is no drug interaction problem. However, if you are taking antibiotics, then you must have a bacterial infection. 2018: I have a new update! 2014: You might want to check out my update here if you’re interested in developments in the flu shot! Well here I am, just after posting about The Year of Health and Veggies, and now I’m sick! Learn more from WebMD about flu treatment with antiviral drugs, which shorten the duration of the virus and may ease the severity of symptoms. Children younger than 5 years of age – especially those younger than 2 years old – are at high risk of serious flu-related complications. CDC estimates that since 2010, flu-related hospitalizations among children younger than 5 years ranged from 7,000 to 26,000 in the United States. Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid, an inhaled powder, or an intravenous solution) that fight against flu viruses in your body. Antiviral drugs are not sold over-the-counter. You can only get them if you have a prescription from a health care provider. Antiviral drugs are Because the flu virus can live on hard surfaces for 24 hours, get into a habit of regularly washing your hands. This is especially important before preparing food and eating. The flu is a viral infection that primarily affects your respiratory system, but it usually runs its course in about a week and does not require serious interventions.