Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Diarrhea After Having Tamiflu?
Question: My 7 year old son has the flu. He was sent home from school at about 1:00 Friday afternoon with a 102 fever and diagnosed with a positive flu test and started Tamiflu on Friday evening. His symptoms have been mainly fever, which peaked at 102.7 on Friday and has run around 100 all day today. When we keep him on motrin and keep his fever down, he seems to feel fine.
He had some nausea on Friday when his fever was so high, but since then, has seemed ok with no vomiting or diarrhea. A short whole ago, he had a bout of diarrhea. My question is - is the diarrhea likely related to the flu, even though he hasn't really had any GI symptoms for the first three days, or is it more likely related to the Tamiflu? If it's a side effect of the Tamiflu, how bad should we expect it to get and will it get better as long as he is on the Tamiflu? I gave him a probiotic with tonight's dose. Will that help?
He had some nausea on Friday when his fever was so high, but since then, has seemed ok with no vomiting or diarrhea. A short whole ago, he had a bout of diarrhea. My question is - is the diarrhea likely related to the flu, even though he hasn't really had any GI symptoms for the first three days, or is it more likely related to the Tamiflu? If it's a side effect of the Tamiflu, how bad should we expect it to get and will it get better as long as he is on the Tamiflu? I gave him a probiotic with tonight's dose. Will that help?
Brief Answer:
Mild gastrointestinal intolerance to Tamiflu
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome to Healthcaremagic
Greetings of the day
Dear Ms XXXXXXX
The loose motion is most likely related to mild gastrointestinal intolerance to Tamiflu. It is mild and should not worsen . Continue giving Tamiflu and Probiotics will definitely be helpful.
If the following criteria are fulfilled the Etiology of diarrhoea is unlikely to be due to severe infection
1. Absence of blood in stools
2. No or minimal abdominal pain
3. No signs of Dehydration
4. Urine output adequate
The aim of management of diarrhoea due to any cause is
1. Ensure good intake of fluids and electrolyte to prevent dehydration
2. Maintain nutrition
I would suggest you the following
1. Adequate intake of water
2. Continue Tamiflu
3. Continue Probiotic
4. Adding Zinc supplement syrup in children with diarrhoea shortens their duration of loose stools.
Do get back to me if you need any further assistance, will be glad to assist you.
Do take good care of yourself.
Wishing your son a speedy recovery.
Best regards
Dr Deepak Kaltari
Consultant Pediatric Surgeon
Mild gastrointestinal intolerance to Tamiflu
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome to Healthcaremagic
Greetings of the day
Dear Ms XXXXXXX
The loose motion is most likely related to mild gastrointestinal intolerance to Tamiflu. It is mild and should not worsen . Continue giving Tamiflu and Probiotics will definitely be helpful.
If the following criteria are fulfilled the Etiology of diarrhoea is unlikely to be due to severe infection
1. Absence of blood in stools
2. No or minimal abdominal pain
3. No signs of Dehydration
4. Urine output adequate
The aim of management of diarrhoea due to any cause is
1. Ensure good intake of fluids and electrolyte to prevent dehydration
2. Maintain nutrition
I would suggest you the following
1. Adequate intake of water
2. Continue Tamiflu
3. Continue Probiotic
4. Adding Zinc supplement syrup in children with diarrhoea shortens their duration of loose stools.
Do get back to me if you need any further assistance, will be glad to assist you.
Do take good care of yourself.
Wishing your son a speedy recovery.
Best regards
Dr Deepak Kaltari
Consultant Pediatric Surgeon
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
