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Does asthma with flu need an ER visit or Tamiflu?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I am 41 years old. I started experiencing fever, chills, and intense body aches yesterday. My temperature spiked to 102.4 degrees Fahrenheit, and I have been coughing nonstop. I tested negative for COVID but positive for influenza A this morning.

I am generally healthy, but I have asthma, and I worry that this might worsen it. Should I start Tamiflu immediately, or should I just ride it out? Also, how do I know if it is progressing to something more serious, such as pneumonia? I am coughing up yellow mucus, and I feel breathless with mild exertion. Is this something I should continue monitoring at home, or when is it safer to get checked again?

Kindly help.

Thank you.
Answered by Dr. George Shelton

Education:

MD

Professional Bio:

Focus: Understanding & explaining how scholarly information can impact individuals’ lives in direct, meaningful, and powerful ways. PERSONALIZED PATIENT HEALTH: Using Patient Strengths to Achieve Better and Personalized Health Translating Medical Knowledge for Patient, Practical decision-making. Using deep understanding of patient lives to develop personalized health advice and motivate lifestyle changes. Over 12 years in health and medicine. People are empowered by understanding their health and how to make healthy high-yield changes. The best place for medical information and health information is not in a medical journal. The best place for information about your health is not even with your doctor—but with you. You should know your health, and have it explained how YOU can understand it well enough to make decisions. Looking at your life, your strengths, and health, I offer solutions that are high-yield changes in diet and exercise that are not high-cost or high-effort.

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Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and understood your concern.

My understanding is that you are not feeling well. We hope to help with this. You have a history of asthma, and your flu test is positive. You are experiencing breathing difficulty with light exercise or activity.

These concerns are enough for you to be evaluated in the ER (emergency room) as soon as possible. After they evaluate you, they will let you know if they recommend taking Tamiflu (Oseltamivir) or another treatment.

In general, any time you are experiencing breathing difficulties, it is best to be evaluated in the ER. Do not use query for chest pain or shortness of breath, as these require immediate in‑person evaluation.

Please wear a face mask and wash your hands with soap and water frequently. After you have been seen in the emergency room, please follow up with us within 24 hours to ensure you are continuing to improve.

I hope that this answers your query.

Kindly follow up if you have more doubts.

Thank you.

The Probable causes

Flu viral infection.

Investigations to be done

Immediate evaluation of breathing and flu in the nearest Emergency Department.

Differential diagnosis

Non-flu viral infection, bronchitis, or pneumonia.

Probable diagnosis

Asthma flare from flu infection.

Treatment plan

Please go to the nearest ER due to shortness of breath. The ER will tell you about taking Tamiflu or not.

Preventive measures

Please wear a face mask and wash your hands thoroughly whenever possible. Please take the Tamiflu if the ER (emergency room) recommends this.

Regarding follow up

Please follow up with us the day after you are seen in the ER to make sure your symptoms are improving.
Medically reviewed by iCliniq medical review team
Published At September 27, 2025
Reviewed At September 29, 2025

Education:

MD

Professional Bio:

Focus: Understanding & explaining how scholarly information can impact individuals’ lives in direct, meaningful, and powerful ways. PERSONALIZED PATIENT HEALTH: Using Patient Strengths to Achieve Better and Personalized Health Translating Medical Knowledge for Patient, Practical decision-making. Using deep understanding of patient lives to develop personalized health advice and motivate lifestyle changes. Over 12 years in health and medicine. People are empowered by understanding their health and how to make healthy high-yield changes. The best place for medical information and health information is not in a medical journal. The best place for information about your health is not even with your doctor—but with you. You should know your health, and have it explained how YOU can understand it well enough to make decisions. Looking at your life, your strengths, and health, I offer solutions that are high-yield changes in diet and exercise that are not high-cost or high-effort.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. George Shelton
Dr. George Shelton

Internal Medicine

Education:

MD

Professional Bio:

Focus: Understanding & explaining how scholarly information can impact individuals’ lives in direct, meaningful, and powerful ways. PERSONALIZED PATIENT HEALTH: Using Patient Strengths to Achieve Better and Personalized Health Translating Medical Knowledge for Patient, Practical decision-making. Using deep understanding of patient lives to develop personalized health advice and motivate lifestyle changes. Over 12 years in health and medicine. People are empowered by understanding their health and how to make healthy high-yield changes. The best place for medical information and health information is not in a medical journal. The best place for information about your health is not even with your doctor—but with you. You should know your health, and have it explained how YOU can understand it well enough to make decisions. Looking at your life, your strengths, and health, I offer solutions that are high-yield changes in diet and exercise that are not high-cost or high-effort.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality
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