Experts say there are some questions over how reliable the influenza A tests are, which means you can't rely on one medication.
When H1N1 first came on the scene, Tamiflu flew off pharmacists shelves. Now some doctors have a warning for those who stocked up and take it at the first sign of sickness. Dr. Bernard Griesemer with St. John's Health System reminds patients that H1N1 is not the only thing going around.
"H1N1 is the mildest one," said Griesemer. "[I've seen] the croup, strep throat, pneumonia, stomach flu; yesterday we had several teens in here with mononucleosis. We're having the same trouble the schools and parents are having sifting through all that stuff."
That can mean misdiagnosis, and mismanaged medicine.
"You pick a kid that may end up just having a little bit of stomach flu and you hit them with the antiviral, those are the sickest kids we're seeing," Griesemer said.
For the Springfield-Greene County Health Department, it's an issue of further flu protection.
"If Tamiflu's out there and being used possibly when it shouldn't be used, it won't be a drug that we can combat severe cases of H1N1 with," said Kendra Williams of the Springfield-Greene County Health Department.
Health Department staff say you should keep Tamiflu for those who really need it, those who are seriously sick, in the hospital or at risk for any complications.
"Otherwise healthy individuals who contract influenza do not need Tamiflu," said Williams. "They're going to get over this on their own and Tamiflu won't do much good anyway."
Some of the side affects to Tamiflu are nausea and vomiting. And, while it may not be for everyone, doctors do say it's the number one go-to for people fighting the worst of H1N1.
When H1N1 first came on the scene, Tamiflu flew off pharmacists shelves. Now some doctors have a warning for those who stocked up and take it at the first sign of sickness. Dr. Bernard Griesemer with St. John's Health System reminds patients that H1N1 is not the only thing going around.
"H1N1 is the mildest one," said Griesemer. "[I've seen] the croup, strep throat, pneumonia, stomach flu; yesterday we had several teens in here with mononucleosis. We're having the same trouble the schools and parents are having sifting through all that stuff."
That can mean misdiagnosis, and mismanaged medicine.
"You pick a kid that may end up just having a little bit of stomach flu and you hit them with the antiviral, those are the sickest kids we're seeing," Griesemer said.
For the Springfield-Greene County Health Department, it's an issue of further flu protection.
"If Tamiflu's out there and being used possibly when it shouldn't be used, it won't be a drug that we can combat severe cases of H1N1 with," said Kendra Williams of the Springfield-Greene County Health Department.
Health Department staff say you should keep Tamiflu for those who really need it, those who are seriously sick, in the hospital or at risk for any complications.
"Otherwise healthy individuals who contract influenza do not need Tamiflu," said Williams. "They're going to get over this on their own and Tamiflu won't do much good anyway."
Some of the side affects to Tamiflu are nausea and vomiting. And, while it may not be for everyone, doctors do say it's the number one go-to for people fighting the worst of H1N1.
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