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Flu exposure - what do you do?

Posted by wsbme74 @wsbme74, Mar 10 7:09am

Hi.
I have Bronchiectasis and asthma. My daughter tested positive for flu A this morning and I definitely was exposed (she's a teen so we are all in the same household).
I am wondering what others do if they know they have been exposed but are not (yet?) symptomatic? I will do additional airway clearance today but am all ears for other ideas.

Also, if I do get it (I haven't had it in years and that was before broncheictasis and it was still rough), how do you usually manage it, in terms of medication, supplements, airway clearance, etc.?

Thank you!

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scoop | @scoop | Mar 10 9:34am

Yes, all that you list and calling your doctor to have an anti-viral on hand in case you come down with the flu. CVS carries test kits for flu, covid, rsv etc.

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wsbme74 | @wsbme74 | Mar 10 10:13am

Thank you! I am waiting to hear back from my pulmonologist- something we all seem to go through!
I swear by the (sadly, more expensive) Pfizer rapid PCR tests as they tend to pick up what the rapid Antigen ones don't. But definitely time to stock up.
Are there particular supplements you frontload on after exposure?

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bayarea58 | @bayarea58 | Mar 10 12:21pm

Risk of infection increases with exposure over time so if you have not already, isolate your daughter in a separate room and mask whenever around her. If it is warm enough where you are, air out the home, if not, use air purifiers. Disinfect commonly touched surfaces. Don’t assume it is too late to avoid infection. I agree with getting an antiviral to have on hand should you start to show symptoms as those need to be taken very quickly to be effective. Also agree with increasing airway clearance. Get enough sleep, eat well, move, preferably outside and keep your immune system buzzing. Hopefully you will get lucky. 🤞

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1 reply
bsi15 | @bsi15 | Mar 10 10:17pm
In reply to @bayarea58 "Risk of infection increases with exposure over time so if you have not already, isolate your..." + (show)
@bayarea58

Risk of infection increases with exposure over time so if you have not already, isolate your daughter in a separate room and mask whenever around her. If it is warm enough where you are, air out the home, if not, use air purifiers. Disinfect commonly touched surfaces. Don’t assume it is too late to avoid infection. I agree with getting an antiviral to have on hand should you start to show symptoms as those need to be taken very quickly to be effective. Also agree with increasing airway clearance. Get enough sleep, eat well, move, preferably outside and keep your immune system buzzing. Hopefully you will get lucky. 🤞

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flu replicates every 6-8 hours with upto 100000 new viruses per cell.
It often has sharp onset within 10min , it may start after 4-5 replication cycles (28 hours)
you may take Tamifly or Relenza.
Look for "post-exposure prophylaxis"
If not infected already, yo may be immune to that strain.
severe flu season in USA, mainly H1N1 , already declining
https://www.cdc.gov/fluview/surveillance/2025-week-09.html
this year's flu vaccine has effectiviveness 40%

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