Flu exposure guide

Medicine to help prevent the flu after an exposure

For people 4 and older with no flu symptoms who were close to someone whose flu was found by a test or a doctor. The first dose must be taken within 48 hours of first being near the sick person.

Start online

Start a $59 online review for Flu exposure prevention.

If someone close to you has the flu, a medicine called oseltamivir (Tamiflu) can lower your chance of getting sick. You take it once a day for 10 days. It works best when you start it soon. The first dose must be taken within 48 hours of when you were first near the sick person while they were sick. It does not take the place of a flu shot. A physician reviews your answers and, if it fits, sends the prescription to your pharmacy. A parent or guardian answers for a child 4 to 17.

If treatment is appropriate, your physician can send a non-controlled prescription to your pharmacy and provide portal instructions for the next step.

Start this visit See response times

Quick facts

You must be physically located in Virginia or West Virginia at the time of request.
Starts at $59
No insurance needed
No app download
Physician review around the clock
Non-controlled prescriptions can be sent to your pharmacy when appropriate
A work or school note can be included when medically appropriate
Response times apply 24/7, every day

Common symptoms

Someone you live with tested positive for the flu, or a doctor said they have it
You spent time near a sick person, face to face, while they had the flu
You feel fine and have no flu symptoms
It has been less than 48 hours since you were first near them while they were sick

May fit online care

Adults & children 4+ (with a parent or legal guardian)
You have no fever, chills, cough, sore throat, or body aches
The sick person's flu was found by a test or a doctor
You can take the first dose within 48 hours of first being near them
You are 4 or older, and a parent or guardian answers for a child

Look for another care setting

Flu symptoms now, like fever, chills, cough, sore throat, or body aches (use our flu visit instead).
Trouble breathing, chest pain, or confusion (call 911).
It has been 48 hours or more since you were first near the sick person while they were sick.
An allergy to oseltamivir (Tamiflu).
Dialysis or kidney failure.
Kidney disease with no kidney blood test from the last 12 months, or kidney disease in a child.
Living in a nursing home or another care home.
Pregnancy or possible pregnancy.
A child younger than 4.

What to have ready

How the sick person's flu was found, by a test or a doctor
The date and time you were first near them while they were sick
Your medicines and any allergies
For a child, the child's current weight
If you have kidney disease, a kidney blood test from the last 12 months

What happens next

Standard

$59

Within 6 hours

Priority

$99

Within 3 hours

Rush

$149

Within 1 hour

Start the request on the website, answer a few questions to check that this visit fits you, and choose how fast you want an answer (the response window). If your concern still fits this service, a physician reviews it and sends you a secure update after you sign in. When appropriate, non-controlled prescriptions can be sent to your pharmacy, and a basic work or school note can be included at physician discretion.

Your physician

Every visit is personally reviewed by Ankur Fadia, MD. He is board-certified, has extra training in heart care (a cardiology fellowship), and is a member of Alpha Omega Alpha, a medical honor society. He is licensed in Virginia and West Virginia, and your care is never handed off to someone else.

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Do I still need a flu shot?

Yes, if you have not had one this season. This medicine does not take the place of a flu shot. You can get the shot while you take it. Do not get the nose spray flu vaccine (FluMist) until 2 days after your last dose. If you had FluMist in the last 2 weeks, tell us. You may need a flu shot later.

What if I get sick while I take it?

Message us. Your doctor may change the plan, because treating the flu uses a different dose. Call 911 or go to the ER for trouble breathing, chest pain, or confusion.

What if I keep being around the sick person?

Tell us if you are still around them after your third day of pills. Your doctor may add days, so the medicine lasts 7 days past your last contact.

What are the side effects?

Most people have none. Some get an upset stomach or a headache, and taking it with food helps. Stop it and get medical help right away for a rash, hives, itching, confusion, or acting in a strange way. Stop it and call 911 for swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, skin that blisters or peels, or trouble breathing.

Who gets the most from it?

Anyone 4 or older who fits can ask. It matters most if you are more likely to get very sick from the flu, like adults 65 and older and people with asthma, diabetes, heart disease, or a weak immune system, or if you live with someone who is. If your immune system is weak, the medicine may not work as well, so tell your specialist about the contact too.

Other conditions we treat

Not quite what you have? Here are other conditions we treat.

Acute bronchitis Rebound congestion COVID-19 antiviral Flu (influenza) antiviral Hoarse voice & laryngitis Mono (infectious mononucleosis)