Tamiflu – worth taking with you when travelling abroad?

[davidleo]

I'm going to New Zealand at the end of August and last time I went I ended up getting quite ill with flu-like symptoms, which wasn't ideal when I was so far from home.

A friend mentioned Tamiflu and suggested it might be worth looking into before I travel. I've never taken it before, so just wondered if anyone here has had any experience with it?

Not looking for medical advice as obviously that's something I'd discuss with a doctor or pharmacist – I'm more interested in people's personal experiences. Did you find it useful and would you bother taking it abroad with you?

It wouldn’t occur to me to take it. If I was staying far away from shops, I might take some Lemsip with me but I’d also just assume I could buy the equivalent locally.

I took it years ago and I remember it making me quite sick, I also think in my case it was given too late as I had been very unwell for several days and I don’t remember it making me feel much better or shortening the duration, however, in your situation I think I probably would have it as back-up, but take it as soon as you start getting symptoms; worth getting an influenza test too.

Flu like symptoms and flu are not the same thing and tamiflu would only work if it was the influenza virus that was causing your symptoms.

It would be worth looking at tips and advice for reducing risk of catching any viral illnesses on your journey and possibly what other OTC medication you can take into New Zealand so you could take something as soon as you feel unwell to try to reduce the impact of any illnesses on your trip.

At this time of year it's probably not going to be possible but I'd look into whether you could get a flu vaccine anywhere.