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Get the Shot!By Dr. Cheryl Bryantbruce, M.D. The flu season has come roaring in like a lion-early. The primaryindividuals being affected are generally young and healthy. Are youwondering should you get the shot? Well, I am wholeheartedlyrecommending that you do at this point in time, but don’t panic!Although I may have been a bit lukewarm about the H1N1immunization in the past, due to the newness of the vaccine, as aphysician I am attuned to weighing out risks versus benefits.Currently, I am recommending the virus, because I feel the benefitsstrongly outweigh the risks. I have seen rapidly increasing numbers of swine flu cases over the past month. I am not uncertain that I did nothave a touch of it myself last month. I have watched extremelyhealthy people prostrated in bed sick as dogs with this virus. I havebeen fortunate not to have encountered any patient losses personally,but I am watching the death toll rise, as is the number of peoplehospitalized. The risk is high enough that an unprecedentedemergency authorization by the FDA allowing the use of peramivir, anintravenous anti-viral drug has been given at the request of the USCenter for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While any death is of course significant, what is striking in this case is that the ones dyingare healthy children, young people, and pregnant women. I am seeingthis flu sweep through hospitals, incapacitating hospital staff. Patientsare being discharged from some hospitals early to minimize theirexposure. School closings are becoming commonplace. The Presidentof the United States has now declared a state of emergency.I do not think these recent events require panic, however, this diseasethreat should be taken seriously, particularly in at risk groups. At riskgroups include children, young adults in community environments suchas schools or the military, pregnant women, any one who is immuno-compromised, and healthcare workers. Everybody should practicegood hand washing and respiratory precautions (see my blog “AnOunce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure” atscribd.com/AskCelebrityDoc ). At this time, if you are not allergic toeggs, I do recommend that you get the vaccine (when it becomesavailable to you-production is not meeting demand). Get plenty of exercise and eat nutritious foods. In the event that you do develop flusymptoms however, if they seem at all severe, seek attention early, as Tamiflu is effective if used within the first 48 hours of havingdeveloped symptoms. If the symptoms are not severe, STAY HOME! Your friends and neighbors do not want to share this with you. Stay inbed and drink plenty of fluids. Alternating Tylenol and Ibuprofen willhelp with the fever and discomfort in all age groups, but if you have
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