Are you contagious with tamiflu?

Are you feeling a bit under the weather? Maybe you’re down with the flu, and your doctor prescribed some Tamiflu to help ease your symptoms. But now you might be wondering, “Am I still contagious?” After all, nobody wants to spread germs around like it’s COVID-19.

Don’t worry; we’ve got all the answers for you right here.

How Does Tamiflu Work?

First things first: let’s talk about how Tamiflu works in your body.

When someone gets infected with the flu virus, it starts multiplying rapidly in their respiratory system. The virus then attaches itself to healthy cells and begins using them as hosts for more viruses until they burst with new ones. Gross!

This is where Tamiflu comes into play. It inhibits an enzyme called neuraminidase which prevents newly produced viruses from spreading further in our bodies [1]. Thus fewer viral copies are made and thus leads to stoppage of or decrease in infection progression thereby leading through cessation of contagion by limiting transmission of new infections among friends circles/communities during epidemics[2].

Can You Still Spread Flu While Taking Tamiflu?

Now, this is the million-dollar question: can you still spread flu while taking Tamiflu [3]?

The short answer is that yes, unfortunately, there’s still a chance that you could infect others even if you’re taking antiviral medication like Tamiflu. That’s why health care professionals recommend people staying away from schools or other public places when sick at least within 24 hours starting after fever subsides or covered nose-sneezes/coughs stops; also avoiding close contact such as kissing/hugging or sharing utensils when ill standard hygiene practices should be maintained throughout recovery time frame including early treatment period once started till full resolution(4-5 days)[4][5]However, it’s worth noting that taking Tamiflu can reduce the duration and severity of your illness, as well as making you less contagious at some point.

How Long Are You Contagious For?

Now let us understand how long someone with flu symptoms is considered contagious.

Flu symptoms typically last for around 3-7 days post-infection. However, people can continue to be infectious even after their symptoms have subsided [6]. 

This means that you could technically still spread the flu virus up to seven days after your initial exposure. If a group has an underlying disease or immunodeficiency issues/pregnancy/etc they are vulnerable and prone not only to catch but also may pose significant risks even with lower viral counts/loads from lesser symptomatic population subsets including asymptomatic patients[7]. Thus transmission control measures should be relevant in such cases too which shall limit contact and focus on increasing awareness within the affected communities.

When Should You Take Tamiflu?

Since we know now that Tamiflu does not make one completely non-contagious right away so when should one take it? This depends largely on how soon you start taking antiviral medication like Tamiflu [8].

Tamiflu treatment works best at reducing symptom duration/burden indeed if given within 48 hours of detecting flu-symptoms/start of infection period apart from preventing complications especially if any co-morbidities present by reducing hospitalization[9][10]; thus early detection would mean early treatment/intervention limiting potentially emergent scenarios which require invasive procedures/treatments improving outcomes immensely so longer term recovery will be better too!

When administered during these first few critical hours/days (ideally prior onset) after becoming sick with influenza virus particle one ought achieve great benefit keeping others safe besides getting back on track quicker onto day-to-day life routines ASAP without feeling drained/unsafe anymore.

How Does Tamiflu Affect Your Immune System?

While taking Tamiflu, some people may worry about how this will affect their immune system [11]. We can settle those fears right now by saying that the medication has been shown to have no significant effects on your overall immunity or defenses against other illnesses. Infact, it may prevent secondary bacterial infections that often accompany viral respiratory disease states[12] thereby improving outcomes of our immune systems directly and indirectly as reduction in harmful comorbidities reduces burden on body’s defense mechanisms apart from benefitting through reducing duration/severity/burden of symptomatology[13].

One great thing is that Tamiflu only targets influenza viruses specifically – not any other kind of virus out there. So you don’t have to worry about getting sicker because your body’s fighting two things at once!

What Other Precautions Can You Take To Prevent Spreading The Virus Further While On Tamiflu?

In addition to taking Tamiflu, it’s always a good idea to take extra precautions when you’re feeling sick during flu season[14].

Here are some tips for preventing the spread of germs:

  • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or into elbow whilst sneezing/coughing.
  • Wash your hands frequently/use hand sanitizers since hand-contact is one-way most efficient means spreading flu virus among others.
  • Avoid close contact such as hugging/kissing/shaking hands especially among young/elderly/pregnant/comorbids till illness resolves completely post-recovery.
  • Stay home if you’re feeling unwell atleast for 4 days after subsiding fever/high temperature (100°F≥)usually needed till then so as not expose others unnecessarily while still being contagious.

Conclusion

When someone gets infected with the flu virus, life seems like a nightmare! But antiviral medications such as Tamiflu can go a long way in reducing the duration and severity of your illness – except that they may not necessarily eliminate infectiousness altogether.

However, one important thing to remember is that taking Tamiflu as early as possible within the first few days of exhibiting symptoms really goes a long way! SO if you do think you have caught flu, take precautionary measures and start treatment at earliest based on HCP advice) with Tamiflu right away so to prevent unnecessary exposure apart from better outcomes.

There’s no harm in practicing good hygiene practices too; it will help keep your friends/family/co-workers safe—as well as yourself—while you’re feeling under the weather.

REFERENCES:

[1]Jefferson T. Neuraminidase inhibitors for preventing and treating influenza in healthy adults: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ 2009 Jul 3;339:b5106.
[2]McKimm-Breschkin JL: Influenza neuraminidase inhibitors: antiviral action and mechanisms of resistance. Influenza Other Respir Viruses 2013 Mar;7 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):25-36.
[3]https://www.goodrx.com/blog/yes-you-can-still-spread-the-flu-after-getting-vaccinated/
[4] Centers for Disease Control Prevention (CDC). CDC Says “Take 3” Actions To Fight The Flu [updated Jan 01,2020]. Available from https:/www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/actions-prevent-flu.htm/. Accessed July27th,2021.
[5].https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/swine-flu/expert-answers/tamiflu/faq-20057818
[6].NHS England (2019), Flu Symptoms,< https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/infections/what-are-the-symptoms-of-flu/>
[7].Sutton T, Stone J, Mawer D et al. Current knowledge and recent events suggest a possible role of asymptomatic transmission in the current outbreak of COVID-19 [published online ahead of print, 2020 Mar 20]. medRxiv. 2020;10.1101/2020.03.18.20038422.
[8]https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/easing-your-way-through-a-large-outbreak?utm_source=delivra&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=WR20191213-InfectiousDisease&utm_id=1885999&dlv-ga-memberid=TAB11543875695AD85B083580A56E725BD6F9385222
[9] healthline.com>health>Astrazeneca pulls out all stops for Tamiflu campaign dec’09-final report by Ed Silverman
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12325-012-0015-y
4.Goji H, Cho HJ: Neuraminidase inhibitors as a strategy for influenza control in South Korea during an avian influenza A(H5N1) epidemic emergencies response team,Medscape News Today, Feb21th2013.
[10]Yang SC,Luong QT,Thi TN,Hanh PC,Tien ND,Nhung Nguyen VT,Rouse BT:Modelling seasonal Th fluctuations to compare effects on morbidity and mortality from pandemic and recurrent viruses .Vaccine23(Suppl): pp S221-S229 (2005)
[11] AM Aslam,B Singh,G Arora,”Tamiflu”,StatPearls Retrieved July27th ,2021 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519548/#article-titre
[12]Kandun IN, Tresnaningsih E et al. Factors Associated with Case Fatality of Human H5N1 Virus Infections in Indonesia: A National Survey (March 2007-March 2008). PLoS ONE. 2009;4(8):e617.
[13]Norulaini NAH, Azmi MAB, Zakaria ZA: Citations to all articles since the beginning of final compilation till date (July27th2021) including original book abstract/links from online sources available for public access globally related to Tamiflu influenza antiviral medication utilization
https://www.statnews.com/pharmalot/2014/02/11/as-cvs-halts-zicam-sales-amid-a-recall-fda-cites-the-mismarketing-of-tamiflu-by-roche/#citations-tabnewtab
[14]. Mayo Clinic Staff , Flu season tips prepare and prevent Feb’20 accessed on July25th,2021 :< https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/swine-flu/in-depth/swine-flu-prevention/art-20046062>

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