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A bug in the house A bug in the house
(about 1 hour later)
By Adam Brimelow BBC News health correspondent Adam is taking a course of Tamiflu By Adam Brimelow BBC News health correspondent Both Bobbie and Connor have been ill
As swine flu spreads across the UK, thousands of families are learning to live with the pandemic.As swine flu spreads across the UK, thousands of families are learning to live with the pandemic.
Even if they're only suspected cases it can bring disruption to households, as I discovered.Even if they're only suspected cases it can bring disruption to households, as I discovered.
"Medicine for me! Medicine for me!" Our four-year-old daughter, Bobbie, was delighted with the prospect of a ten-day course of Tamiflu."Medicine for me! Medicine for me!" Our four-year-old daughter, Bobbie, was delighted with the prospect of a ten-day course of Tamiflu.
The fact that she was fine at the time was just an added bonus.The fact that she was fine at the time was just an added bonus.
But her seven-year-old brother, Connor, was - as he put it - "under the weather".But her seven-year-old brother, Connor, was - as he put it - "under the weather".
He came home from school on Monday with a temperature and a chesty cough.He came home from school on Monday with a temperature and a chesty cough.
The doctor asked us to come so he could take some swabs - but he said to wait outside the entranceThe doctor asked us to come so he could take some swabs - but he said to wait outside the entrance
There was a letter from his head teacher saying that some children had been off with flu-like symptoms, and a couple of other schools nearby had closed with confirmed cases of swine flu.There was a letter from his head teacher saying that some children had been off with flu-like symptoms, and a couple of other schools nearby had closed with confirmed cases of swine flu.
The letter suggested ringing the NHS Direct helpline on 0845 4647, or to call our GP.The letter suggested ringing the NHS Direct helpline on 0845 4647, or to call our GP.
Taking swabsTaking swabs
When I rang our surgery in north London the doctor asked us to come so he could take some swabs - but he said to wait outside the entrance.When I rang our surgery in north London the doctor asked us to come so he could take some swabs - but he said to wait outside the entrance.
We were escorted through to a room at the back, and the GP explained to Connor that he was going to put on a face mask.We were escorted through to a room at the back, and the GP explained to Connor that he was going to put on a face mask.
The taste of Tamiflu wiped the smile off Bobbie's faceThe taste of Tamiflu wiped the smile off Bobbie's face
He took swabs from the nose and the back of the throat. He also weighed Connor and Bobbie, and asked about their general health.He took swabs from the nose and the back of the throat. He also weighed Connor and Bobbie, and asked about their general health.
I was given four prescriptions for Tamiflu. Three of us are on a ten-day course as a precaution.I was given four prescriptions for Tamiflu. Three of us are on a ten-day course as a precaution.
That is just one capsule a day - with a smaller dosage for Bobbie.That is just one capsule a day - with a smaller dosage for Bobbie.
Connor is on a five-day treatment regime, taking capsules morning and evening.Connor is on a five-day treatment regime, taking capsules morning and evening.
He is also having paracetamol, and anti-histamine for his hay-fever.He is also having paracetamol, and anti-histamine for his hay-fever.
The doctor directed me to a large pharmacy to pick up the anti-virals.The doctor directed me to a large pharmacy to pick up the anti-virals.
I normally have to pay for my prescriptions, but this was free.I normally have to pay for my prescriptions, but this was free.
Unpleasant tasteUnpleasant taste
The taste of Tamiflu wiped the smile off Bobbie's face.The taste of Tamiflu wiped the smile off Bobbie's face.
We had been given a leaflet explaining that we could open the capsule and mix it into a teaspoon of sweetened food - something runny.We had been given a leaflet explaining that we could open the capsule and mix it into a teaspoon of sweetened food - something runny.
Bobbie had it with raspberry yogurt, but it didn't mask the taste.Bobbie had it with raspberry yogurt, but it didn't mask the taste.
There was mess and there were tears.There was mess and there were tears.
Since then we've had more success just mixing it with sugary water - although it doesn't dissolve very well - followed by a treat.Since then we've had more success just mixing it with sugary water - although it doesn't dissolve very well - followed by a treat.
We are all adapting to it as best we canWe are all adapting to it as best we can
The Tamiflu made my wife, Amber, feel queasy. That is the most common side-effect. But she's feeling better now.The Tamiflu made my wife, Amber, feel queasy. That is the most common side-effect. But she's feeling better now.
Connor was also sick soon after his second dose.Connor was also sick soon after his second dose.
But he is recovering well, and putting his time off school to good use, noisily perfecting his table-football technique.But he is recovering well, and putting his time off school to good use, noisily perfecting his table-football technique.
His temperature remained high through Monday night, and he continued to cough, but he is now on the mend.His temperature remained high through Monday night, and he continued to cough, but he is now on the mend.
However, Bobbie has been struck by the bug. She woke up with a roaring temperature early on Wednesday morning - but nothing we could not handle.However, Bobbie has been struck by the bug. She woke up with a roaring temperature early on Wednesday morning - but nothing we could not handle.
We are still waiting for the results of Connor's swab-tests, but swine-flu looks a fair bet.We are still waiting for the results of Connor's swab-tests, but swine-flu looks a fair bet.
Carry on as normalCarry on as normal
The GP advised me to "carry on as normal", and that is what I am doing.The GP advised me to "carry on as normal", and that is what I am doing.
In our community swine flu appears to be out and about, and we are all adapting to it as best we can.In our community swine flu appears to be out and about, and we are all adapting to it as best we can.
For many people like us, the worst headache is childcare.For many people like us, the worst headache is childcare.
That is always a problem when children are poorly, but with a bug like this, there is no back-up.That is always a problem when children are poorly, but with a bug like this, there is no back-up.
As Amber said, a childminder who has had swine flu will be worth their weight in gold.As Amber said, a childminder who has had swine flu will be worth their weight in gold.