[BC] BDR Flu Article

[RichardBJohnson at comcast.net]

I am like the guy who stayed at Holiday Inn once so I'm qualified to perform brain surgery. However, after rubbing elbows with medical doctors for the past twenty years, I think the best advice, once one contracts the flu is to:

(1)	Drink lots of fluids even if you can't keep them down (vomiting clear fluids is not too uncomfortable). Coca cola seems to have a settling effect on ones stomach. Do not use alcohol or Nyquil.

(2)	Take aspirin for the headache and muscle ache. If you cannot tolerate aspirin, use something that is buffered, but do not use Ibuprofen unless demanded by a doctor. Do not take enough aspirin to eliminate a fever. A slight fever helps fight the infection.

(3)	As long as your cough is productive, i.e., it produces phlegm do not take cough suppressants. Use paper towels, toilet paper, tissues, or paper napkins, and dispose of them down the toilet. Do not use a cloth handkerchief.

(4)	Only eat enough solid food to reduce hunger to a tolerable level.

(5)	Stay in bed or in a recliner so you can take catnaps.

(6)	Take a warm shower before going to go to bed for the night. This should relax you and promote sleep.

(7)	Once your fever "breaks," and you start to feel okay (actually many people suddenly feed great), stay home for a few more days. Use this "sudden energy" to clean up, wash your bedding, etc.

(8)     If you start coughing blood, or hear a gurgling sound when you breathe, it is time to go to the hospital. You probably have pneumonia and need antibiotic treatments.

BYW, the H1N1 strain comes on "suddenly." One day you are fine, and suddenly that evening you are very sick. You need to check in at the hospital emergency room even though your PCP may have scheduled some future visit.

Cheers,
Richard B. Johnson
Book: http://www.AbominableFirebug.com/

----- Original Message -----
From: "Gary Peterson" <kzerocx at rap.midco.net>

" Hot chicken soup actually works quite well,
too.  Don't spit it out -- swallow it!  That helped me before, when I had
laryngitis so bad I could hardly swallow.  I prefer Campbell's Cream of
Chicken Soup.  
Glen Kippel "