Category: Health

6 things you need to know to fight influenza

a review of how to recognize, prevent, and treat influenza

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6 Tips to Cope During a Flu Epidemic

The post discusses influenza, emphasizing its symptoms, diagnosis, and prevention, particularly through vaccination. It acknowledges the similarities between influenza and COVID-19 symptoms. Antiviral medications like Tamiflu and Xofluza are mentioned for treatment. The article promotes awareness of complications, especially for high-risk individuals, and encourages preventive measures to protect oneself and others.

Keep reading

  1. If you think you have “the flu”, you probably don’t.

To many people “the flu” is any respiratory illness characterized by some combination of fever, cough, congestion, fatigue and aches. That term has become so nonspecific even we doctors use it that way. But it more correctly refers to influenza, which is just one of many viruses that cause illness. The illnesses caused by the other viruses are usually called “colds”, upper respiratory infections, aka URIs, bronchitis, pharyngitis, sinusitis and pneumonia.

The human respiratory system
The respiratory tract including the nose, sinuses, mouth, throat, trachea, bronchi in blue and the lungs (pink). Infections can involve the breathing organs from the nose all the way down to the lungs. (photo complimentary from Pixabay)

  1. If your doctor thinks you have “the flu”, you probably do.

Prior to the availability of the “rapid flu” test, we doctors diagnosed influenza the characteristic symptoms, confirmatory findings on exam, and knowing there was an outbreak in the community. The test is not absolutely necessary but is helpful for confirmation in the event the illness doesn’t progress as expected. Besides, we can charge for it and patients have come to expect it now.

3. The best way to prevent influenza is by vaccination.

The World Health Organization (WHO), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) , the National Foundation for Infectious Disease and every other reputable medical organization recommends vaccination against influenza. People refuse vaccination (some even at recommendations of physicians) because they believe it is ineffective, unnecessary, dangerous, toxic, unnatural, subversive, and who knows what else. And  I don’t think I or anyone else am going to change their minds.

My family and I always get vaccinations which have successfully protected us without side effects or adverse reactions. There are risks, just like there are with any medical procedure, or lots of other things we do in life. In this case we have decided the benefit outweighs the risk.

  1. If you want to avoid getting influenza, avoid being around people who may be infected.

This means everyone, since one may be contagious 2 to 3 days before symptoms. It’s not a coincidence that influenza outbreaks coincide with the American holiday season (approximately November through January). So to protect us all,

  • Stay home if you are sick, and ask your family, co-workers and employees to do the same.
  • Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing
  • Wash your hands frequently.
  • Wash frequently touched surfaces frequently.
sign saying wash your hands

  1. If you do get sick, don’t ask your doctor for an antibiotic.It will not help. 

    Antibiotics attack bacteria. Influenza and 99% of all respiratory illnesses are due to viruses.

There are 4 antiviral drugs that will “shorten the duration and severity of symptoms” by 1-2 days, if started early. The effectiveness is uncertain for an illness that will resolve within 10-14 days regardless. But if it gets you back to school or work a day earlier, it may be worth the cost-they are not cheap drugs.

Otherwise, the treatment is“symptomatic” or “supportive” care:

  • Rest; eat and drink as normally as possible; extra fluids if running a fever 
  • Non-prescription cough/congestion /pain/fever meds

Here are  general guidelines  on what to do if you get a respiratory illness.

  1. You can die from influenza, but you probably won’t.

I cringed last year when a friend wrote on her social media page, “My doctor said, ‘No one dies of the flu’.” And, technically, that is true. People die from complications of influenza, and infants, young children and the elderly have greatest risk.The most common fatal complication is bacterial pneumonia, infection in the lung. Influenza can also attack the nervous system causing brain inflammation (encephalitis and/or meningitis) and paralysis in the form of Guillain Barre syndrome .

an xray of healthy lungs with no signs of pneumonia.
Healthy lungs with no signs of pneumonia.

Persons with chronic illnesses like diabetes, lung disorders, depressed immune systems and cancer are at greater risk of complications and should always consult a physician if feeling ill. If you are not sure if you fall into that category, ask your doctor.

Influenza is a disease to take seriously; consider my suggestions, talk to your doctor, and stay healthy this season.

How do you want to die?

If, like me, you don’t listen to rap often, you may need to watch this video more than once to get the message. Dr. Zubin Damania, aka ZDoggMD, is a “physician, off-white rapper, and purveyor of the finest medical satire.” In this video and others he uses unconventional means to educate and inform about important health issues. This video caught my attention and I hope it does yours also.

We, meaning doctors and patients, care much about how we live, but often give little attention to how we die. But death, after birth, is the single thing we all share as humans. Still, we live like it’s not going to happen, or act surprised when it does.

 

Fewer than 10% of persons with sudden cardiac arrest survive.
Fewer than 10% of persons with sudden cardiac arrest survive.
Death should never be welcome, and it will never be easy, but sometimes it is more horrible than it has to be because no one planned for it. No one asked the hard questions-

“What if you are diagnosed with a terminal illness?”

“What if you can no longer swallow or eat on your own?”

“What if you cannot breath unassisted?”

“What if you are no longer competent to make your own medical decisions?”

 

End of life planning is not synonymous with ending care or euthanasia. It is about providing comfort, controlling pain and other symptoms and supporting family. It’s about deciding ahead of time how you want to spend the last few months, weeks, days or hours of your life.

End of life care is often provided through hospice services. 

No matter how young or old you are ,it is important to consider these things, because unexpected illness and injury can happen to anyone. There are two things to do-

 

Talk- to your family about what you want. If you  already have a life threatening condition, talk to your doctors.

Write- down what you want. This is usually in the form of an advanced directive, living will or medical power of attorney. You can learn how to do this here.

 

“Advance directives are discussions or written statements which convey a person’s wishes to his or her family and physician in the event that he or she becomes unable to discuss such matters. They may

1. explain the individual’s values about health, life and death;

2. give directions to family and physician about treatment goals or the use or non-use of specific treatment modalities; or

3.  designate a surrogate to make decisions on behalf of the individual.

After completing an advance directive, the individual should discuss its content and meaning with his or her family, surrogate, and physician. Individuals should review their advance directives periodically to assure that they accurately reflect their current values and wishes.”(CMDA Ethics Statement)

My husband and I  have advance directives,and we discuss our wishes with each other periodically to confirm what our current  plans are. We both prefer to forgo aggressive treatments which are likely to be futile, but you may feel differently; it is important for your family to know.

 

 

 

It is also important to understand what your physician thinks and believes about end of life care, and how those beliefs affect one’s medical practice. Ideally, you and your doctor will agree on expectations and if not, it may be best to seek care elsewhere.

 

“Clinicians should examine carefully the verbal and written wishes expressed by their patients. They should be willing to follow these wishes provided they do not conflict with the clinician’s personal moral or religious values. If such a conflict exists, the clinician should discuss it with the patient and transfer care if the conflict cannot be resolved. ” (CMDA Ethics Statement)

 

 

“It always seems too soon until it’s too late. Talk about your end of life wishes now with those you love.” ZDoggMD

 

For further reading-

 How Doctors Die

Advance Directives and Do Not Resuscitate Orders.

 

“The End-of-Life Handbook” A Compassionate Guide to Connecting with and Caring for a Dying Loved One

(an affiliate link which pays this blog a commission for your purchase; thanks)

“This book address both the emotional and psychological issues associated with death and dying and the practical and medical realities typically dealt with at this time-unusual among titles in this subject area.

The authors, a psychologist and medical doctor, are passionate advocates for quality end-of-life care. Author Feldman’s background in positive psychology brings an emphasis on hope, inspiration, meaning, and human connection at the end of life to the book.

As medical technology progresses and life expectancies edge upward, families are being faced with ever-more-complicated choices as loved ones approach their final hours. This book offers readers much-needed guidance and support for making these often difficult decisions.”