Very little tamiflu here (live abroad) - when to demand it?

[vesela]

We live abroad, and according to news reports the stocks of tamiflu here are very small and are only to be used for really bad cases.

I know that it needs to be given within 48 hours to be most effective, though. At what point should we be asking for tamiflu - will it be obvious within 48 hours if we have a bad case?

(None of us have had SF yet but the epidemic is apparently just about to break here, so I'm working out what to do in case of need).

Thanks!

You can try your Ambassy. Mine is having a stock of tamiflu in case the pharmacy here run out. They will give it out only with a prescribtion though. The doctors will probably decide if you need it or not, nothing to do with you.
The ambassy (not the UK though, but you could ask if they have a plan as you should really be treated like anybody at home) also will have a vaccination program for its citizen.

Thanks, mamaloco - I checked the FCO website, though, and it says British embassies don't provide antivirals to nationals abroad.

What I'm wondering more is at what point you know you've got a serious case of swine flu - is it usually apparent pretty soon?

I guess if you just feel like you have a cold or are in bed incapable of moving within the first few days they will decide what to do. You should ask a GP to get a proper answer, try the health section?