 | Dr. Tracy C. Ramsey MD is board certified in Internal Medicine. She has spent the last 6 years after her residency doing a wide variety of healthcare services. She has additional training in wound care, diabetes, infectious disease, hospice and palliative care as well as emergency medicine and hospitalist medicine. She also has an interest in woman's health and complimentary forms of health care. Contact Dr. Ramsey and her staff @ 2105 Ohio Street in Augusta, KS or call @ (316) 775-0300. |
Health & Medicine
2003-12-01 08:41:00
Avoiding the flu
: With winter coming on, so does cold and flu season. How can I avoid getting sick?Answer: Tis the season for various colds and flus, although interestingly, the season never really goes away, it just gets worse around this time of year. Colds and flus are caused by viruses. Except for confirmed cases of influenza, there is no pill to help the virus go away faster. And for the influenza pill to be effective, it has to be diagnosed with a laboratory test within 12-24 hours within the onset of symptoms! It does not 'kill' the virus, but in most people it does shorten the duration of flu symptoms by 24-48 hours. There are several forms of illnesses that are generically referred to as 'the flu'. The first is a severe cold, perhaps with bronchitis. The second is the real 'flu' caused by the Influenza virus. The third is a range of intestinal viruses which is commonly referred to as 'the stomachflu'. The 'bugs' that cause these ills are different and the symptomatic treatments vary. Prevention is the key to all of these viruses. The Influenza vaccine is widely available, well-tolerated and very effective. Years ago, Influenza vaccine was made using inactivated live virus. Unfortunately, this caused many people to get flu symptoms within a week or two of receiving the vaccine, and because of this they say, "I won't get the flu vaccine, because it gave me the flu!" The new vaccine that is the most widely available, is made from parts of the virus that our bodies recognize andreact to - they are not 'live' so, symptoms are less likely. Also, keep in mind, especially this far into the season, is that if you do get 'flu' symptoms after the flu shot, there are two explanations: 1) you had the virus exposure before the vaccine could take effect; or, 2) you got a different virus that has the same or similar symptoms. The nasal form of the vaccine (a spray) is a nice thought for many who do not like needles, but unfortunately is not appropriate for those who need it the most (i.e. anyone younger than 5, older than 65 or anyone with chronic health problems. Which brings me to ’Who needs a vaccine?’ Everyone under the age of 2, over the age of 65 and anyone with chronic health problems (even if they are under control). as well as anyone who has any interaction with the above mentioned 'risk population.' Why are they considered a 'risk population'? Because they are the ones most likely to die or have complications if they get influenza. So, even if you aren't likely to die from influenza, people around you may if you pass it on! The vaccine is available from October-March. Last but not least, WASH YOUR HANDS frequently with soap and water! This is a major prevention, easy to do, readily available, does not take a doctor's order or prescription and WORKS! Intestinal viruses are mostly spread by the 'fecal-oral' route which means someone doesn't wash their hands (or doesn't wash them thoroughly), touches their hands on the doorknob or countertop, you come along and innocently pick up your food order (or someone brings it to your table), you eat and within a few days to a week or so, you have the 'stomach flu,' or a cold, or a flu, because you rubbed your eye, or touched your mouth or swiped you nose! See how easily this spreads? For all of these viruses or any other illness, you should call or see your doctor if the ill person cannot keep fluids downs for more than 12 hours (if a person is vomiting, don't keep forcing stuff into their mouth and expect them not to keep vomiting.) Sucking on ice chips or popsicles is usually enough for awhile. Giving medicines by mouth to keep someone from throwing up doesn't make sense either, but if they can keep it down, over-the-counter medicines are OK within the instructions on the box. Fevers are not bad. If someone has a fever (>100.5 if you 1-year-old or less, >101.5 for all others), but they feel just tired, they don't need acetaminophen (generic Tylenol) or ibuprofen (generic Motrin). Never give a child aspirin unless instructed by a physician. But, often a person has achiness with the fever (or even increased body temperature) and needs the pain relievers. Often, children are cranky with fevers, and so they do better with pain relievers, but what they can't tell us, probably is that they feel achy and that's why the acetaminophen or ibuprofen works. If a child is less than 2-months-old and has an increased temperature, their doctor needs to be notified. People who have diabetes (children and adults) whether or not they need medicine for it need to dig out a glucometer when they are sick. Make sure they are drinking plenty of fluids, because the stress of illness can make a diabetic's liver make more glucose, regardless of what is being eaten. A diabetic should never stop taking their insulin because they are sick and "not eating well or throwing it all up." Call your doctor's office for further instructions (or call the nurses hotline if your insurance offers such a service). There is much to say about such common illnesses, much more detail than what can be covered here. My main word of advice, is to rest (sleep when at all possible), drink at least two liters of fluids a day (unless you're not suppose to drink that much), and don't take your virus to work/school with you! Call your doctor with any questions or concerns!
©
Tracy Ramsey, MD
QUESTION: With winter coming on, so does cold and flu season. How can I avoid getting sick?Answer: Tis the season for various colds and flus, although interestingly, the season never really goes away, it just gets worse around this time of year. Colds and flus are caused by viruses. Except for confirmed cases of influenza, there is no pill to help the virus go away faster. And for the influenza pill to be effective, it has to be diagnosed with a laboratory test within 12-24 hours within the onset of symptoms! It does not 'kill' the virus, but in most people it does shorten the duration of flu symptoms by 24-48 hours. There are several forms of illnesses that are generically referred to as 'the flu'. The first is a severe cold, perhaps with bronchitis. The second is the real 'flu' caused by the Influenza virus. The third is a range of intestinal viruses which is commonly referred to as 'the stomachflu'. The 'bugs' that cause these ills are different and the symptomatic treatments vary. Prevention is the key to all of these viruses. The Influenza vaccine is widely available, well-tolerated and very effective. Years ago, Influenza vaccine was made using inactivated live virus. Unfortunately, this caused many people to get flu symptoms within a week or two of receiving the vaccine, and because of this they say, "I won't get the flu vaccine, because it gave me the flu!" The new vaccine that is the most widely available, is made from parts of the virus that our bodies recognize andreact to - they are not 'live' so, symptoms are less likely. Also, keep in mind, especially this far into the season, is that if you do get 'flu' symptoms after the flu shot, there are two explanations: 1) you had the virus exposure before the vaccine could take effect; or, 2) you got a different virus that has the same or similar symptoms. The nasal form of the vaccine (a spray) is a nice thought for many who do not like needles, but unfortunately is not appropriate for those who need it the most (i.e. anyone younger than 5, older than 65 or anyone with chronic health problems. Which brings me to ’Who needs a vaccine?’ Everyone under the age of 2, over the age of 65 and anyone with chronic health problems (even if they are under control). as well as anyone who has any interaction with the above mentioned 'risk population.' Why are they considered a 'risk population'? Because they are the ones most likely to die or have complications if they get influenza. So, even if you aren't likely to die from influenza, people around you may if you pass it on! The vaccine is available from October-March. Last but not least, WASH YOUR HANDS frequently with soap and water! This is a major prevention, easy to do, readily available, does not take a doctor's order or prescription and WORKS! Intestinal viruses are mostly spread by the 'fecal-oral' route which means someone doesn't wash their hands (or doesn't wash them thoroughly), touches their hands on the doorknob or countertop, you come along and innocently pick up your food order (or someone brings it to your table), you eat and within a few days to a week or so, you have the 'stomach flu,' or a cold, or a flu, because you rubbed your eye, or touched your mouth or swiped you nose! See how easily this spreads? For all of these viruses or any other illness, you should call or see your doctor if the ill person cannot keep fluids downs for more than 12 hours (if a person is vomiting, don't keep forcing stuff into their mouth and expect them not to keep vomiting.) Sucking on ice chips or popsicles is usually enough for awhile. Giving medicines by mouth to keep someone from throwing up doesn't make sense either, but if they can keep it down, over-the-counter medicines are OK within the instructions on the box. Fevers are not bad. If someone has a fever (>100.5 if you 1-year-old or less, >101.5 for all others), but they feel just tired, they don't need acetaminophen (generic Tylenol) or ibuprofen (generic Motrin). Never give a child aspirin unless instructed by a physician. But, often a person has achiness with the fever (or even increased body temperature) and needs the pain relievers. Often, children are cranky with fevers, and so they do better with pain relievers, but what they can't tell us, probably is that they feel achy and that's why the acetaminophen or ibuprofen works. If a child is less than 2-months-old and has an increased temperature, their doctor needs to be notified. People who have diabetes (children and adults) whether or not they need medicine for it need to dig out a glucometer when they are sick. Make sure they are drinking plenty of fluids, because the stress of illness can make a diabetic's liver make more glucose, regardless of what is being eaten. A diabetic should never stop taking their insulin because they are sick and "not eating well or throwing it all up." Call your doctor's office for further instructions (or call the nurses hotline if your insurance offers such a service). There is much to say about such common illnesses, much more detail than what can be covered here. My main word of advice, is to rest (sleep when at all possible), drink at least two liters of fluids a day (unless you're not suppose to drink that much), and don't take your virus to work/school with you! Call your doctor with any questions or concerns!
