But I am a mother of a peanut allergic kid who had a near fatal reaction to a PB sandwich. Food allergies can seem to just appear in that the child could have had such a mild reaction in the past that no one noticed it. The issue with peanuts (and I think other food allergies) is that one day it can be minor and the next fatal. Plus, I also learned that food allergies are hereditary. I have a tree nut allergy that I never took seriously, just avoided those nuts. After finding out about DS, my dad confessed that he also has tree nut allergies, the same ones that I have.  Doc took DS off of all nuts even though peanuts are not technically nuts. We all now carry epi pens since we are now aware of the dangers. I say better safe than sorry-- consider finding out for sure.

Both of my sons are allergic to peanuts.  I've heard that food allergies run in families although my boys are the first in both dh's and my families to have them.  I think it would be a good idea to have your child tested especially since your mother has a severe nut allergy.

I don't know much about peanut allergy, but I have heard of people having very bad reactions to Tamiflu.  One girl I knew, her sister had to be admitted to the hospital the reaction was so bad.

my bee allergy did, and my brother's peanut allergy has gotten better and worse over 24 yrs.  They do run in families, also, and I have heard there's some connection between bee venom and peanut allergies specifically.

I suppose if you don't want to go to the allergist, you could just preemptively stop feeding him peanut butter, but that doesn't let you find out what else he might be allergic to.

Isn't Tamilflu a strong antiviral?  I would be very leery of giving that to a young kid unless he was in very tough shape.

but I would also visit an allergist. If your son does have allergies, better to figure out what they are now and avoid them; some allergies in children clear up over time if they are not further stimulated (ie, if the allergen in question is avoided). Plus, if it's the meds or the peanuts, you'd want to know either way. Don't know which would be the "better" allergy!

with your doc about the potential allergy, and possibly having him tested. If he really is allergic to peanuts, you would want a definitive diagnosis so that you'll be able to truly avoid them as much as you may need to. The "hmm, maybe he is" case is a little hard to manage, and if his next reaction is nasty, you'd want to be prepared. Assume each reaction is worse.

I am really really leery of Tamiflu. It at most lessens flu by a couple of days, and the potential side effects are actually pretty nasty. I'm surprised it has gotten as much positive press as it has.

that's a tough one.  I've also heard about bad reactions to Tamiflu.  Although peanut allergy can't be ruled out.  For food allergies, you don't get a reaction the first time a food is introduced.  So, it's possible to develop an allergy even after having it introduced before.  It's also possible to develop an allergy to something later in life.  

You can also try electro-dermal allergy screening.  If your insurance doesn't cover regular blood allergy testing, then this might actually be cheaper.  I did this for my daughter when she showed signs of food allergy at 1 month old and we couldn't pinpoint it.  An ED test usually runs around $100 and is not covered by insurance.  Some naturopaths and chiropractors do ED testing.  It's very specific and accurate, contrary to detractors.