FLU SHOT ALTERNATIVES
“So I think we’re looking at a shortage that’s not going to be made up during this season,” states Dr. Steven Baum, a flu expert at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York. It is the harsh reality of this year’s flu season…vaccines will be hard to come by. There’s enough for those at risk, and the time is now for them to go get their vaccines.
But what about the rest of us?
There are several drugs on the market now that all help shorten the duration of the flu should you get it. They stop the reproduction of the flu virus in the body.
Two drugs, amantadine, and rimantadine, work only on type A flu…people can be affected by type A or type B. These drugs are approved for treating and preventing the flu in persons who have just been exposed.
There are two newer drugs, both approved in 1999: Relenza and tamiflu.
Relenza is inhaled. It covers both type a and b flu, but is approved only for treating uncomplicated influenza virus infection in people 7 years of age. Tamiflu also covers both type A and B flu, but is the only one that does that and is approved for treating an uncomplicated flu virus infection in those one year of age and older. It is only approved for preventing the flu in those older than 13.
If a family member is diagnosed with the flu, it is important that you notify your doctor within 2 days of being exposed. Tamiflu, along with all these medicines, work to treat or prevent the flu only if taken within two days of the onset of illness or exposure. The medicines have to have enough time to stop the reproduction of the flu virus.
“If you’ve got households cases that would be the time to start. The other group is nursing home patients and other high-risk patients who just didn’t get vaccinated, they probably should take one or another of these drugs another to prevent influenza,” says Dr. Baum.
Still, it’s important at risk populations get their flu vaccine now. According to the centers for disease control and prevention, priority groups for vaccination are:
•Adults aged 65 years and older,
•Persons aged 2-64 years with underlying chronic medical conditions,
•All women who will be pregnant during influenza season,
•Residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities,
•Children 6 months-18 years of age on chronic aspirin therapy,
•Health-care workers with direct patient care, and
•Out-of-home caregivers and household contacts of children aged <6 months.
Fibromyalgia West Palm Beach, Florida
Dr. Louis Miller
Advanced Pain Relief Center of South Florida
6133 Lake Worth Road
Lake Worth,
FL
33463
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Are you suffering from muscle or joint pain? Do you have low energy and have difficulty sleeping? Well, then you might have Fibromyalgia, which can disrupt your daily work and activities. Dr. Louis Miller based in West Palm Beach, Florida, is a nutritionist and can treat the pain using holistic methods.