vaca1981 Posted January 26, 2018 #1 Share Posted January 26, 2018 just wondering if the cruise ship is able to test for flu and give out tamiflu if necessary (to adults and children). Leaving next week and with this flu outbreak I’m getting a little nervous 😬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The sea calls my name Posted January 26, 2018 #2 Share Posted January 26, 2018 I was diagnosed today and had to call three pharmacies in our small town before I found one that had it. Spent a lot of time on hold trying to get my prescription transferred form one Pharmacy to another. Of course being a Friday, my Dr. closes his office and phones at noon so could not get them to just call it into a different pharmacy. It is epidemic proportion here in our south Georgia town. All that to say, I would almost see if your Family Dr. would give you prescription to fill and take with you, especially if you are flying. It is expensive though. Another natural option that many nurses and NP are recommending is Elderberry Syrup. (Sambucole) is one . The Tamiflu really needs to be started within 24 hours of symptoms to be most effective. I personally would not plan on the ship having it or enough. Just my thoughts as a nurse who also has a chronic lung disease. What ever you decide, have a great cruise and know hand sanitizer will be your best friend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dixie1337 Posted January 26, 2018 #3 Share Posted January 26, 2018 Don't forget to wash your hands like 50 times a day (oh yeah, hey hey). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brevardcruiser Posted January 27, 2018 #4 Share Posted January 27, 2018 Please do not travel if anyone in your family has symptoms. My family just got over flu for a week. The flu is terrible this year. It’s not worth it to spread to other passengers or crew if you have symptoms Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cb at sea Posted January 27, 2018 #5 Share Posted January 27, 2018 I can't imagine ANYONE with Flu would FEEL like traveling...you feel as if you're dying.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hgiles Posted January 27, 2018 #6 Share Posted January 27, 2018 Don't forget to wash your hands like 50 times a day (oh yeah, hey hey). For influenza that will not be a helpful suggestion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bingo3 Posted January 27, 2018 #7 Share Posted January 27, 2018 For influenza that will not be a helpful suggestion. That is what helps prevent anyone catching it, hand washing is one of the best preventions. It also helps keep you from spreading it if you do have it, by keeping your hands washed before touching anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beagle Rancher Posted January 27, 2018 #8 Share Posted January 27, 2018 Don't forget to wash your hands like 50 times a day (oh yeah, hey hey). ...wash your hands Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hgiles Posted January 27, 2018 #9 Share Posted January 27, 2018 That is what helps prevent anyone catching it, hand washing is one of the best preventions. It also helps keep you from spreading it if you do have it, by keeping your hands washed before touching anything. Influenza is mainly spread by droplets in the air. It can be spread by contact with objects and hand washing is not completely unhelpful. But, the overwhelming risk, unfortunately, is airborne. And, yes, I would still wash my hands. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/spread.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vaca1981 Posted January 27, 2018 Author #10 Share Posted January 27, 2018 Influenza is mainly spread by droplets in the air. It can be spread by contact with objects and hand washing is not completely unhelpful. But, the overwhelming risk, unfortunately, is airborne. And, yes, I would still wash my hands. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/spread.htm Yes that’s what I was more concerned about. I’d never fly and get on a cruise if we had the flu. I’m more concerned that what happens if you come down with it during the cruise...wonder if they can test u and give tamiflu. I know there is a tamiflu shortage and would hate to get 4 preventive scripts if the ship has them if needed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ARCruisinNana Posted January 27, 2018 #11 Share Posted January 27, 2018 Yes that’s what I was more concerned about. I’d never fly and get on a cruise if we had the flu. I’m more concerned that what happens if you come down with it during the cruise...wonder if they can test u and give tamiflu. I know there is a tamiflu shortage and would hate to get 4 preventive scripts if the ship has them if needed They will swab for flu. I am in Vision and brought Tamiflu with me, just in case. I did have the flu shot. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dixie1337 Posted January 27, 2018 #12 Share Posted January 27, 2018 Influenza is mainly spread by droplets in the air. It can be spread by contact with objects and hand washing is not completely unhelpful. But, the overwhelming risk, unfortunately, is airborne. And, yes, I would still wash my hands. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/spread.htm The site you linked actually says to watch your hands like 50 times a day ;) Just not on those (very catchy) words I swear every time I read a CDC page about how a certain disease is spread I end up completely disgusted. Don't read the norovirus one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pspercy Posted January 27, 2018 #13 Share Posted January 27, 2018 Elderberry Syrup ? Would Elderberry Wine qualify? :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coralc Posted January 27, 2018 #14 Share Posted January 27, 2018 I don't know. The medical center had Acyclovir when I came down with Shingles onboard. I had lesions on my face, in my mouth, and in my ear (on Day 2). It was still an absolutely miserable experience on vacation. I pretty much lost about 7 days of enjoyment. But I was surprised that they had it onboard because, like Tamiflu, it should be taken within 48 hours of symptoms appearing. Treating Shingles early helped a lot, and I didn't have any scarring or hearing loss. So they seem to be pretty well stocked. I would never count on a cruise ship having anything that I might need. They might. :o But any preparations that I could make in advance....I would. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikew0805 Posted January 27, 2018 #15 Share Posted January 27, 2018 That is what helps prevent anyone catching it, hand washing is one of the best preventions. It also helps keep you from spreading it if you do have it, by keeping your hands washed before touching anything. Influenza is airborne, clean or dirty hands really do not matter in the transmission. However, wash your hands every chance you get anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikew0805 Posted January 27, 2018 #16 Share Posted January 27, 2018 The site you linked actually says to watch your hands like 50 times a day ;) Just not on those (very catchy) words I swear every time I read a CDC page about how a certain disease is spread I end up completely disgusted. Don't read the norovirus one. Yeah, it is usually the fecal - oral route, but can be vomitus as well. :o Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mellowjourney Posted January 27, 2018 #17 Share Posted January 27, 2018 Grab a box of Zicam nasal swabs. I worked at a medical school with a researcher for the past several years. I'm now at a hospital. There are two credible double-blind studies that Zicam (nasal swabs, NOT the lozenges) reduce symptoms from 9 days to 2.5 if you start using them right away. I always have some on hand now. I will use them 3-4 times per day as soon as I feel that anything is coming on. Never fails me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CRUISINERRN Posted January 27, 2018 #18 Share Posted January 27, 2018 I would not waste your money on tamiflu it may decrease symptoms by a day....it only comes in name brand and costs a fortune. The flu is a virus like the cold and tamiflu likely does nothing. Your best bet is hand washing and hoping people cover their mouths when they cough or sneeze. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mellowjourney Posted January 27, 2018 #19 Share Posted January 27, 2018 I would not waste your money on tamiflu it may decrease symptoms by a day....it only comes in name brand and costs a fortune. The flu is a virus like the cold and tamiflu likely does nothing. Your best bet is hand washing and hoping people cover their mouths when they cough or sneeze. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Agreed. Tamiflu is a sham. There is no credible science to back it up and yet it's peddled as a miracle drug. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vaca1981 Posted January 27, 2018 Author #20 Share Posted January 27, 2018 Agreed. Tamiflu is a sham. There is no credible science to back it up and yet it's peddled as a miracle drug. I had the flu a few years ago, and took tamiflu. Made me so sick. Swore I’d never take it again but this flu epidemic is making me so nervous. Watching the news they say to take tamiflu :confused: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ocean Boy Posted January 27, 2018 #21 Share Posted January 27, 2018 (edited) I would not waste your money on tamiflu it may decrease symptoms by a day....it only comes in name brand and costs a fortune. The flu is a virus like the cold and tamiflu likely does nothing. Your best bet is hand washing and hoping people cover their mouths when they cough or sneeze. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Agreed. Tamiflu is a sham. There is no credible science to back it up and yet it's peddled as a miracle drug. I agree with both of you. I've never prescribed it. But the marketing has people convinced they need to have it. Taking a chemical like that just to decrease symptoms by a day or so makes little sense. As for the cruise ship infirmary being able to test for the flu, does it really matter? Plenty of viruses share the same symptoms as the influenza virus. Does it make much difference which one you actually have? Treatment is bases on symptoms not virus specificity. Edited January 27, 2018 by Ocean Boy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vaca1981 Posted January 27, 2018 Author #22 Share Posted January 27, 2018 I agree with both of you. I've never prescribed it. But the marketing has people convinced they need to have it. Taking a chemical like that just to decrease symptoms by a day or so makes little sense. As for the cruise ship infirmary being able to test for the flu, does it really matter? Plenty of viruses share the same symptoms as the influenza virus. Does it make much difference which on you actually have? Treatment is bases on symptoms not virus specificity. I asked about testing of the flu for the sole purpose of being given tamiflu. I wouldn’t want to take it or be given it if I didn’t really have the flu. Lots of doctors/urgent care etc around here don’t test for the flu but give you tamiflu based off of your symptoms (not sure about the current flu issue). In 2016 the only place I could get a flu test was at CVS. Like I said before, I would never want to take it again if it wasn’t medically necessary bc it made me so sick. Let’s just hope everyone stays healthy. Looks like you are in my roll call. I’m assuming you are a dr, if I get sick I’m coming to find you :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LXA350 Posted January 28, 2018 #23 Share Posted January 28, 2018 On Ovation they had Tamiiflu onboard and I got it subscribed by the doctor there. I don't know the price for it on the local US market, but on the ship it was USD 200 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misty57 Posted January 28, 2018 #24 Share Posted January 28, 2018 Grab a box of Zicam nasal swabs. I worked at a medical school with a researcher for the past several years. I'm now at a hospital. There are two credible double-blind studies that Zicam (nasal swabs, NOT the lozenges) reduce symptoms from 9 days to 2.5 if you start using them right away. I always have some on hand now. I will use them 3-4 times per day as soon as I feel that anything is coming on. Never fails me. Yes! That stuff is amazing!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SherriZ366 Posted February 5, 2018 #25 Share Posted February 5, 2018 Grab a box of Zicam nasal swabs. I worked at a medical school with a researcher for the past several years. I'm now at a hospital. There are two credible double-blind studies that Zicam (nasal swabs, NOT the lozenges) reduce symptoms from 9 days to 2.5 if you start using them right away. I always have some on hand now. I will use them 3-4 times per day as soon as I feel that anything is coming on. Never fails me. Is this the newer version of Zicam Nasal Swabs? They had an earlier version that was very effective for me but they took it off the market as it hurt some people's sense of smell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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