Quote:
Originally Posted by golfing eagles
Well, I AM a doctor and IMHO your post is VERY bad advice.
Influenza is no joke especially among seniors. It is still the 8th leading cause of death and the only infectious disease still in the top 10 (In 1915, all the top 10 were infectious diseases). In 2017 it accounted for 55,672 deaths and you can bet the vast majority of victims were under 2 or over 70 years old.
Also, there is treatment available if you are seen within 48-72 hours after the onset of symptoms , oseltamivir(Tamiflu). You can't prescribe this for yourself.
So, best advice----get your flu shot, you won't get anything worse than a sore arm from inactivated vaccine. If you get flu like symptoms, or if it is present in other household members, see your doctor. He can do a rapid influenza A test from a swab and get you started on treatment. DON'T BE ONE OF THE 55,672!
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AMEN! AMEN! AMEN!!!! I have watched HEALTHY, 19 yr old airmen in Basic Training for the USAF DIE of the flu! If it can KILL a 19 yr old, HEALTHY, kid of this age group, it is a HUGE risk to those of us over 65 (cause lets face it, the under 2 yr old group probably is not trolling "The Villages" forums!) UNLESS you have a medically specific reason NOT to get the shot, there are MANY lives you are placing at risk in a retirement community, not just your own.