Influenza Season 2012-2013

[doctorcoug]

And it has started...I have seen 4 patients today with influenza. For those that haven't gotten your flu shot yet, you might want to consider it.

Here is the CDC's website that talks about influenza:

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/season/index.htm

Good luck and wash your hands.

About tamiflu, here is "the bible" of medical evidence[/URL] talking about tamiflu. This is significant information and raises significant concerns in my mind about Roche and what they are hiding.



In particular:

The authors have been unable to obtain the full set of clinical study reports or obtain verification of data from the manufacturer of oseltamivir (Roche) despite five requests between June 2010 and February 2011. No substantial comments were made by Roche on the protocol of our Cochrane Review which has been publicly available since December 2010. Based on our assessments of the documents we could obtain, we came to the conclusion that there were substantial problems with the design, conduct and availability of information from many of the trials.

The CDC continues to recommend tamiflu for patients, which raises concerns in my mind about conflicts of interest there.

Here is a journalist perspective

http://www.nydailynews.com/life-styl...icle-1.1201162

[Donuthole]

I'm glad this topic is back. After last year's award-winning thread, I can hardly believe the 2012-2013 version took so long to get started.

[Slim]

I haven't admitted anyone with the flu yet.

[doctorcoug]

I haven't admitted anyone with the flu yet.

Most of the country is showing sporadic activity as of the 10th of November. Some places are showing no activity. Texas, for instance, is showing regional activity. It will be interesting to see what is going on the next surveillance report. For me, I've just seen a lot yesterday and today.

[Pelado]

I took my son to the pediatrician a month or so ago. She gave him the nasal vaccine. I asked if I could just get it there, too. She gave it to me, but said it had to be IM.

[kccougar]

I've never had the flu. I don't plan on getting a shot.

[il Padrino Ute]

I've never had the flu. I don't plan on getting a shot.

The only time I've ever got a flu shot, I was sicker than I've ever been before in my life. Whatever strain of flu that got me hospitalized me because of pneumonia and severe dehydration.

[doctorcoug]

Half the patients I saw today have the flu. The first patient that I thought had the flu this weekend had a PCR return today that shows influenza A. This patient said she is very depressed because of this. She hasn't left her bed except to go to the bathroom since last Tuesday.

It is here. Word spread really fast in my town and we gave gobs of flu shots today....we ran out.

Just in time for the holidays...wash your hands over and over. Cough into your elbow and not your hand. Wear a mask if you are coughing. Oh, and if you get it, ask your doctor about the new Cochrane database review that shows tamiflu isn't all it is cut out to be.


via a galaxy s3 far far away

[doctorcoug]

One more thing, if you get the flu, improve, then develop a cough thought to be pneumonia, this can be a life threatening condition called post-influenza pneumonia. I've seen death in less than 24 hours in 20 something healthy patients.

For those that poopoo on this influenza thing, ask your doctor how many healthy patients they have seen die from it. I'm at four (under 21 years of age) in my short career.

via a galaxy s3 far far away

[hostile]

One more thing, if you get the flu, improve, then develop a cough thought to be pneumonia, this can be a life threatening condition called post-influenza pneumonia. I've seen death in less than 24 hours in 20 something healthy patients.

For those that poopoo on this influenza thing, ask your doctor how many healthy patients they have seen die from it. I'm at four (under 21 years of age) in my short career.

via a galaxy s3 far far away

Have the demographics among your patients this season shown any trends? Any thoughts at this point on the virulence of this year's strain?

[wuapinmon]

I had it about six weeks ago. I slept for 12-18 hours a day for about four straight days. It was weird in that I only had a cough, fever, body aches (bad ones), fatigue, and a scratchy throat--no stuffy nose. 102.9 F fever off an on (mostly on) for three days. My belly got sore and started cramping from coughing so much.

I was worried I was going to get pneumonia (I've had it twice before), but I pulled through. I had some awesome Rx cough medicine called Hydromet. I didn't cough at all when I took it.

[doctorcoug]

Have the demographics among your patients this season shown any trends? Any thoughts at this point on the virulence of this year's strain?

Demographics of importance:

None received the vaccine this year
Age range from 2-74
Men and women


Understand this is based on the tiny sample of about twenty.

It is H3N2, which explains why all those that have it didn't get immunized.

Common symptoms:

Fever for about 7 days
Body aches
Chills
Fatigue
Cough
Sore throat

Interestingly, none have had headaches.

About two weeks ago I thought my son had it because he had a fever for about 7 days, fatigue, body aches, and headache. At that time I didn't see any flu in clinic, so I assumed it wasn't. Well, he probably had it and was likely one of the first here.

via a galaxy s3 far far away

[The_Douger]

Saw 2 yesterday.

Dreading Friday's 12h shift.

[Danimal]

What's the point of going to the doctor if you think you have the flu assuming you're not really young, old, or have a compromised immune system?

[wuapinmon]

What's the point of going to the doctor if you think you have the flu assuming you're not really young, old, or have a compromised immune system?

I went to get some relief from my symptoms (coughing).