much ado about the flu

Well as everybody knows flu season is in high gear which means overcrowding of clinics and ERs everywhere.  I had the vaccine but that doesn't necessarily mean you don't get it because it's hit and miss every year on what strains are included in the shot.  Because I've been housebound, my chances are reduced but once I'm back out there in society I'll probably get it...or something else.  

Flu testing is one of the biggest money makers in the industry.  In reality, if you have it there's not a lot you can do but tough it out and take Tamiflu which is an anti-viral medication that is effective in reduction of symptoms if started within the first 48 hours.  I read a piece this morning about adenovirus which has the same symptoms as influenza.  There is no vaccine for that except for military folk, etc.  

While bacterial infections like strep are easily treatable with antibiotics ( most of the time )  viral infections are those that do not respond because umm...they'e viruses.  Overuse of antibiotics through the years has produced a shitload of antibiotic resistant organisms included the MRSA.  This happened, over time, because of the ability of bacteria to mutate and become resistant to different drugs like the penicillin family and others.  In the laboratory we do what is called an ID and sensitivity on bacterial cultures to see what the bug is and what drug it's sensitive to.  Very important stuff.  

Lauren's pediatrician Dr. Melton was the one who brought a new wave of pediatric medicine to Dyersburg that included very conservative use of antibiotics to prevent resistance.  Sadly, it has happened anyway.

I hear there's a State of the Union address coming up which I will skip because I don't believe a word the man says, especially from a teleprompter.  I know the state of our union and it ain't looking good right now.

Here is my urgent plea:  If you think you have the flu you probably do.  PLEASE don't take it to the ER and spread it around.  Seek treatment from a primary care provider and get that diagnosis it you must have it but save the ER for emergencies.  This is the kind of stuff that slows down wait times and makes you mad.  One of my co-workers wrote a very good article for the local paper concerning just these issues.  And yes, he's a doctor.

The river Seine is flooding Paris. Meanwhile more school shootings and accidental deaths due to irresponsible gun storage in the home.  W.T.F. is wrong with people?   I don't want to take away your gun.  Just lock it up where kids and crazy people can't get to it.

Over and out from the lane ^j^