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What are you hearing from YOUR physicians?

by: tess

Tue Jul 14, 2009 at 18:02:57 PM EDT


My MIL went to her internist this morning for routine blood work and while she was there she asked him about Swine Flu. He told her there was NO PANDEMIC, not even an EPIDEMIC!! I'm so mad I could spit nails! This is a physician who is seemingly respected by his peers and teaches at U.T. Southwestern. He and is wife are leaving for China and Japan at the end of the week for a 2 week vacation. I'm stunned.

Is it me?! Just someone verify - I'm nuts or what?!

I've been calmly talking to my elderly MIL (an obese, diabetic, asthmatic 72 yr. old) about H1N1 and it's complications along with the ramifications of what could happen this fall even if it doesn't get worse...if it just spreads and infects a large number of people with underlying health issues. We've been prepping together: food, medicine, garden, etc. Now she's inclined to believe her physician.

Grrrr....  It took me a very long time to get her to the point where she understood at least a little bit about swine flu and the implications and it's all been wiped away simply because I do not hold a medical degree.

How many physicians are telling their patients something similar? What is your doctor telling you?
tess :: What are you hearing from YOUR physicians?
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What are you hearing from YOUR physicians? | 44 comments
We're covering what's going on
in communities and it sort of morphed into what's being seen in newspapers around the country.

Now I'm really interested in what your personal physicians are telling you. I called my own Internist back in mid-April who said "No, you don't need a script for Tamiflu. It doesn't even work against the new virus". I'll be having another chat with her again soon.

Let me know what you're hearing.

 



"History never looks like history when you are living through it." ~John W. Gardner

My GP on Tuesday
used the old algorithm when examining my daughter (any contact with a confirmed case or travel to America). This had been superceded by the new algorithm the previous Thursday.

She also then told me that it was unlikely to be swine flu as there wasn't any in our area (I did tell her that I thought our neighbours had had it the week before but she said that there were a lot of coughs and colds about - I don't know which surgery they use) and that my daughter probably just had ordinary flu, even though there is no other strain being picked up by all the testing that's going on.

All very reassuring if you don't pay any attention to what's going on in the world around you.

[ Parent ]
Ignorant Doctors
I believe there is a tremendous number of doctors ignorant about this pandemic.  Firstly, I am astounded that they have not been curious enough on their own to do some research about it after it arose in Mexico, or continued to follow it over time.  Secondly, either the CDC, ECDC and WHO have assumed (wrongfully) that the medical community is aware and staying informed or they have purposefully left them in the dark so as to preserve stocks of antivirals and obtain herd immunity for the population during this first wave and so as to not disturb the economy (what there is of it).  I think there is a chance that the statistics for deaths could be off due to this ignorance, but cannot know that.  It makes you wonder how many serious cases or deaths could have been prevented if the CDC, ECDC and WHO had been more aggressive about getting the word out to the doctors.
since the H1N1 information is broadcast, available on the web
sent via email to clinicians, and otherwise disseminated, i think we can scratch the 'deliberately keep the public in the dark' theory.
[ Parent ]
Dem I value your opinion...
perhaps you can fill in some blanks for me.

I just have a Bachelors of Science from a small Texas school and several licenses in the area of cosmetology. I don't have a medical license so I've been guilty of relying on physicians to tell me what's the most "up to date" in health care that directly concerns me. I learned several years ago, the hard way, that this wasn't the case when I needed a neurologist and I needed one quickly.

What percentage of your colleagues do you think have their ears turned to the CDC & WHO as far as the current pandemic is concerned?

Do you think most physicians are looking to toward Fall with a due amount of concern?

Do you think most physicians are making the proper discrepancy and treatment between A/H1N1 and seasonal flu?

Do you feel most physicians are taking this seriously? seriously enough?

If not, why do you think this is so?

I'd appreciate your take on this. I'm just really so angry at this doctor right now I'm tempted to print out a few of these articles and make an appointment to go in to talk to him. I need the members of my family with me, not against me.

 



"History never looks like history when you are living through it." ~John W. Gardner

[ Parent ]
Medical degree not what it makes itself out to be.
No insult intended to all the MD who are regulars on this site........but.......

Tess, I have worked as a medical librarian in a large hospital affiliated with a medical school. As the library director, one of my duties was to teach some classes to the medical students and residents. I also did a lot of research for physicians, some more clueless than my plumber. Unfortunately, neither pursuing nor achieving an MD is a guarantee of knowledge or even intelligence. While there is a "mystique" to the profession, it's just like everything else in life, some in the profession can be respected, others cannot.

In addition, the medical profession is so inundated with information these days, few can keep up with it even when they are trying. Few "specialists" are going to bother keeping up with influenza research and most general practice physicians don't have the time to keep up with all the information that is out there.

In short, just as with the government inadequacy during Katrina, you cannot count on the medical community during a pandemic. We are so very on our own.

[ Parent ]
MLBIT, thanks for the response and reminder
that we all need to be "empowered patients". In my head I know what you say to be true but my heart is telling me that I really want to know my physicians are going to take care me in the midst of a pandemic and I'm realizing a little more each day that this just may not be the case.

Even in my own field of aesthetics the information & technology is rapidly changing so I can't even imagine what it's like to keep up with every aspect of medicine and it's specialties. But flu? Especially when a pandemic has been declared and those in certain areas like Argentina, Australia (southern hemisphere) are having a difficult time and might possibly be indicators of our near future.

I deal annually with three physicians: my internist, a neurologist and a neurosurgeon. Not one took me seriously when I asked for Tamiflu and antibiotics so I might have them on hand if needed. That's what drove me to FW.

I had originally decided not to prep for more than 2 or so weeks with the thought that if DH, MIL and/or I got this flu we'd have enough food, drugs, etc. to see us through without having to leave the house. I'm thinking more seriously about putting it in high gear, shelling out the dough and actually SIPing for months and months if I have to.

The thing that bothers me most about my physicians is that regardless of whether they're good or bad (and I thought I had interviewed enough and found good ones) is that they have the script pads. They know DH and my conditions best along with allergies and a list of drugs that we currently take. I won't risk purchasing something that might do me harm from Canada or Mexico or some bogus outfit that sells over the internet. It's too risky IMO. But it does bother me that they hold the path to drugs that I need and there may  be a time in the fall where I don't want to expose myself or they may not be available if I do need them.

Feeling a little more empowered, thanks again for the reminder! ;)

 



"History never looks like history when you are living through it." ~John W. Gardner

[ Parent ]
script pads
tess

If you were to tell any one of them that you were planning to travel to Mexico would they give you a Tamiflu script then as a wise precaution?

[ Parent ]
I never hide behind an MD
it's not part of my sig for that very reason ;-)
[ Parent ]
I never hide behind an MD
And your a classic example of one of the good ones. I have always found that the most brilliant doctors I have encountered also happened to be the nicest. We really do appreciate you!
[ Parent ]
I am painfully aware
of how much I don't know .

Every day i am reminded. ;-P

[ Parent ]
I know you're wise!
I sure wish you were in Dallas! LOL

 



"History never looks like history when you are living through it." ~John W. Gardner
[ Parent ]
Doctor's in Dallas
And there is something to think about. If anyone knows of "Flu Aware" Doctors, it might be nice if they posted there names and locations. We are allowed to do that? Mods?
[ Parent ]
no names and locations unless you get *their* permission, i'd say


You arm yourself to the teeth just in case.  You don't leave the gun near the baby's hand.
[ Parent ]
no names and locations unless you get *their* permission, i'd say
Had the feeling you's say that. Makes sense...oh well.
[ Parent ]
Well, it was a good try. ;)
Went back to one of our physicians for a face to face "consult" to talk to her about giving me antibiotics and an anti-viral for my little stockpile. I had way more information and was even armed with printed material from this site. Same answer but a different msg. "Now, dear...if it was that bad it would be in every paper in the country." "Of course there will be plenty of medication available and the finest care for anyone in Dallas who needs it". I have been going to this doctor for years and she's been very progressive and a huge help to me but, I just give F#&*n up. On to the next doctor. Funny, but when we had our boat and would cruise for months at a time she had no problem giving us anything we asked for from pain killers to anti-biotics (that never had to be used or refilled). Weird.

I'm just gonna keep going...to the next doctor till we've used up our specialists and my MIL's. Then it's time to visit new ones.

 



"History never looks like history when you are living through it." ~John W. Gardner

[ Parent ]
maybe it's time to "get" another boat? n/t


GetPandemicReady.org - non commerical website with practical ways for families to prepare.
[ Parent ]
Don't think I haven't thought of it!
She knew when we cruised, we cruised w/ safety of our passengers in mind first and foremost. I think if I went back to her a 3rd time though, she'd be on to me! LOL Hmm...maybe that's what I'll tell the next one!

 



"History never looks like history when you are living through it." ~John W. Gardner
[ Parent ]
You just have to wonder what it is...
One of my brother seems to have the life philosopy that if he doesn't acknowledge the possibility of something, then it won't happen. As you might guess, he isn't prepping.

Perhaps this is the same thing with the doctor. She can imagine you getting hurt on a boat, but just can't allow herself to imagine a flu pandemic. Head in the sand thing I guess.

[ Parent ]
I can't speak for all docs
I know in my small area we are all aware, and we worry what it means., Just having 330-40 flu patients in the office a day in July brings that message home.

Then again, it's my job to tell 'em. ;-P We fax or email out flu updates from CDC on a regular basis.

I know that as we move to different places there is uneven knowledge and concern. But it's just as incorrect to say that 'all of them know' as it is to say 'none of them know'.

Like most people, some know and are more concerned than others, and are taking in their own experiences right now to temper their academic info from CDC and others..

[ Parent ]
that's 30-40

[ Parent ]
Didn't mean to put you on the spot
It wasn't my intention at all and I hope you didn't feel that way. I do value your opinion and very much shared your views on prep/SIP until the past couple of days.

Of course I know that everything you wrote is true and, I would suspect, it's true here in Dallas as well. I just have yet to find that physician who is on board with the philosophies espoused here on the FW or who will even acknowledge that there IS a pandemic.

Thanks for your honesty and calm voice on the FW. I'm afraid I over-reacted to one physician who is clearly not up to date and isn't helping and I was looking for clarity and rationale. Thank you. You helped me to achieve both. ;)

 



"History never looks like history when you are living through it." ~John W. Gardner

[ Parent ]
Why
Why are there so many doctors ignorant about this then?  I don't think there really has been an attempt to keep them in the dark, but why so many haven't got a clue?  The doc I took my son to was ignorant.  A nice doc, but she was going to prescribe Ramantadine since "the CDC said this flu is resistant to Tamiflu".  She was talking about the seasonal H1N1 of course, but why did she not know that there was a very small chance for it to be seasonal flu instead of Pandemic H1N1.  I had to ask for Tamiflu, explaining that only 2% was seasonal flu.  I should not have had to do that.

A friend of ours was sick for ten days with this flu.  Very sick.  Her doc had her on antibiotics, no antivirals.  Until our friend heard that there were others from our church sick with Pandemic Flu.  About that time her toddler son started getting sick too.  She went in to her doc and had to tell him/her that Pandemic Flu was going around at our church.  She then got Tamiflu for herself and her son.  This should not have happened.  For goodness sakes, we are in a pandemic, one that the WHO has proclaimed as being in Stage 6.  Why are the docs so ignorant?  Folks are getting seriously ill because of that ignorance and the faulty treatment which is the result.  Why?

[ Parent ]
Ignorant nurse practitioners
Saw this today on the Arkansas State University website: "Renata Vaughn, family nurse practitioner and director of the ASU Student Health Center notes, "Anyone can get the flu. Our campus population, however, does not contain large numbers of the groups at higher risk for serious flu-related complications. Segments of the population at increased risk are those under age five, over age 65, and women who are pregnant, and   people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions." Dated July 10th

This quote in an article discussing recent cases of H1N1. --New to posting and not sure how to do a link yet.  

maemae: argghh! How about teens, 20s, 30s...it's a new virus, Ms. Vaughn.
Over 60 has less risk that their children or grandchildren, in general.  
There are six other suspected cases of H1N1 influenza on campus, and according to Drs. Stripling and Williams, those students have been isolated and are being treated according to CDC guidelines.

http://asunews.astate.edu/ASUa...

Maemae, if you copy the address/URL at the top of the page your news is on, and paste it into your post, it will make a link (so long as there's a space between any additional letters or punctuation marks).  Hit preview to check it, and it should be there in blue letters.  If it's long, it'll show up in shortened form.  (On my Mac, I paste by putting the cursor at one end of the url, hold down the [clicker-?] and drag the cursor over the url and it'll turn blue, then hit Apple/? key and "c" for copy. Then in your post, hit Apple/? and "v" for paste.  (Sorry, I forgot the name of the other symbol on the Apple key, a little square with loops in the corners;also there's probably a name for the clicker. [wince/blush])

"The truth does not change according to our ability to stomach it."  Flannery O'Connor

[ Parent ]
Protecting your computer from earthquakes: U Ark.
Never saw this before: use hook and loop/velcro as the cheapest way to anchor fragile computers, if the table or desk is adequate.  Other hints here.

http://www.craigheadoem.org/co...

"The truth does not change according to our ability to stomach it."  Flannery O'Connor

[ Parent ]
Thank you!
Jane, thank you for the link info..
I wonder if Ms. V has read the news about the Air Force Academy...um 60+ college freshman. I 2nd your ARGHH.  
[ Parent ]
Tess
Hi! It sounds like you are just around the corner from me!  It would be too weird, but satisfy my curiosity-- is Tess actually your dd's name?

We have had some different reactions from meds in our area-

* Kids ped is totally on-board with preventive measures to keep them safe as possible (pneumovax, rx for future meds, etc..) However, we have been with him almost 16 years and he knows that I do my homework!  

* "Minute Clinic" was quick to run through a list of flu symptoms when I went in with pink eye.  Talked with NP for awhile about H1N1, she seemed very knowledgable.

* Took 3 campers into "Care Now" with flu symptoms, ready to fight for testing, and they immediately said it could be x, x, x OR swine flu.  They tested for everything (flu swab was negative), dx severe sinus infections and treated them.

* Next day, took 2 campers to same "Care Now" with same symptoms.  Different doctor, looked like we had just landed from Mars when we suggested a flu swab. (We did get it though!)(Again, just sinus infections.)

* Brother is having knee replacement (due to catastrophic injury-- it can't wait too much longer). His surgeon is very aware of H1N1 and wants him in and out of the hospital ASAP.  He seems VERY aware of what is going on, esp. for a trauma surgeon!

Going to my doc next week and expect to fight for pneumovax...

I (always) think it is a good idea to make copies of info from reputable sources and take it into your doctor.  They are busy people and appreciate you doing your homework before you come in.  If they don't...well, get a new doc!

Kristikaylene's part of the woods
Kristikaylene, are you in TX too?
[ Parent ]
TX
Yep..I'm in the FW area.  You?
[ Parent ]
TX
Just south of Dallas. Good to hear of another local prepper!
[ Parent ]
Hi Kristi!
No, Tess is a nickname I've had since I was little. DH and I have no children but we do have a niece in the Houston area who lost both her parents 3 years ago. She's like a daughter! We're actually near the White Rock Lake area of Dallas. Are we still around the corner? That'd make 3 of us that are up here in the DFW area! So good to know!

So, good to know there are places where you're finding cooperation. I am definitely going to go to both to our doctor, as well as my MIL's, armed to the teeth with information. I've learned SO much from the good docs, nurses, librarians and citizens in the know on here that I think I can go in and take the emotion out of it and talk responsibly.



 



"History never looks like history when you are living through it." ~John W. Gardner

[ Parent ]
be proactive
I was just wondering...you sound a lot like someone I know casually, and her daughter is Tess. I thought I'd go out on a limb and see if you were "that Tess" :-)
[ Parent ]
He's leaving for China?
Maybe you could send him a copy of the US State Department Travel Alert for China?  Especially if he'll be travelling with kids.

http://travel.state.gov/travel...

China - H1N1 Quarantine Measures

July 09, 2009

The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens to the quarantine measures imposed by the Government of China in response to the 2009-H1N1 pandemic that may affect travel to China. This Travel Alert updates the June 19, 2009 Travel Alert in order to address the potential for quarantine of unaccompanied minors. This Travel Alert expires on September 30, 2009.

In May 2009, China implemented a policy that allows it to quarantine arriving passengers who exhibit fever or flu-like symptoms if they are arriving from a country which has cases of 2009-H1N1, including the U.S. Although the overall percentage of Americans being quarantined remains low, the seemingly random nature of the selection process makes it almost impossible to predict when a traveler may be placed into quarantine.

Travelers with even a slightly elevated body temperature risk being placed into hospital quarantine, while passengers sitting in close proximity to another traveler with fever or flu-like symptoms may be taken to a specially-designated hotel for a quarantine of approximately seven days, even if they show no symptoms themselves.

The Department of State has received reports of minors traveling without a parent or adult guardian being taken into quarantine upon arrival. Some of the children were under 10 years of age. Parents considering sending their children unaccompanied to China are urged to consider postponing their travel until the quarantine policy ends or until 2009-H1N1 Influenza subsides. In addition, there have been some instances where children have been separated from their parents during quarantine because only the parent or the child tested positive for 2009-H1N1 or exhibited symptoms. Travelers are advised that Chinese health authorities have not issued a country-wide policy on keeping family members together in quarantine, and the practice of keeping young children with their parents or guardians varies by quarantine facility. In some hospitals, parents have been denied access to their children who were in isolated quarantine. In these situations, there exists the possibility of Chinese medical personnel administering medications to minors without parental permission.  

The Department of State continues to receive reports about poor quarantine conditions, including the unavailability of suitable drinking water and food, unsanitary conditions, the lack of telephone access, the absence of English-speaking staff, and limited availability of English-language interpreters.

Travelers to China are reminded that all foreign travelers, including U.S. citizens, are obliged to follow local procedures regarding quarantines and any other public health-related measures. The U.S. Embassy is unable to influence the duration of stay in quarantine for affected travelers. The Chinese government will not compensate people for lost travel expenses. Travelers to China are urged to consider purchasing travel insurance to protect against losses in the event they are quarantined.


GetPandemicReady.org - non commerical website with practical ways for families to prepare.

nope, they're kids are grown and gone. Just he and his DW.
Again, I'm amazed. I'm sure he knows. They travel to both places quite often. I will wait a good 10 days after he's home before I go and talk to him though!

 



"History never looks like history when you are living through it." ~John W. Gardner
[ Parent ]
We have totally unrealistic expectations ...
... about what physicians can do for us outside of the emergency room or areas of specialist medicine.

This pandemic is often benchmarked against the 1918 pandemic but often with the caveat that 'we're much better off now'. Is this really true? In medical terms, with the exception of Tamiflu which may confer limited protection in the early days of infection, we're in the same boat.

I can't speak for the US medical system but in the UK, we believe that our GPs can solve almost any problem and our lives our now micro-managed through visits to the GP surgery. There are several reasons for this:

- Our GPs are expected to be social workers, lifesytle consultants, administrators, drug-pushers and doctors last (and I'll qualify this contentious statement)

- Political correctness (for want of a better term) has permeated so many areas of our day-to-day lives that, instead of telling us to get of our fat arses and take responsibility for our own lives, our institutions treat us like children who are incapable of making our own decisions - hence 'The Nanny State'.

- The data to support efficacy of many pharmaceutical drugs is often hugely exaggerated or misreported. The British press compounds this by using drug company press statements as news reports and GPs remain absolutely passive (collude?) in this.

The BMA recently suggested that most pharmaceutical drugs are at best useless to 80% of the people that use them and at worst cause actual harm (and isn't 'adverse reactions to pharmaceutical drugs' cited as the third or fourth biggest killer in the US?).

Despite this, government policy now seems to take a 'vaccine' approach, where drugs are prescribed in a preventative capacity rather than addressing illness as it arises. This has led to a large proportion of our population taking a cocktail of drugs for life before they reach their 40s (and GPs are given targets or incentives to get xxx number of people onto specific drugs)

MTLB says that we are on our own in this pandemic but the truth is, we always have been and always will be on our own. To massively over-simplify the existentialist philosophy - no one has the answers; not your God; not your mother; not the state - and pandemic influenza is no different. If we get flu, unless something dramatic happens, most of us will be OK and should not be visiting our GP surgeries in the first place, but some of us will clearly need the resources of the emergency room.

I would not want to be a GP at the best of times as they only have a finite number of resources and a finite capacity for all the things they are expected to do. Most of them work incredibly hard and to expect them to treat every individual who turns up at the surgery with flu symptoms (and to try to name it without testing) is unrealistic and futile. This will only be exacerbated as numbers continue to grow.

 

when it comes to pandemic flu information,
I tell my family doctors what's going on.  THEY listen to ME.

I find that the infection control nurses at the local hospitals are generally far better informed on this and other issues than the doctors.  Occasionally they 'scoop' me on new developments! (grin)  I share information with them, too.

If you really want a sense of what the medical community knows and is doing, contact the infection control people at your local hospital.

KEEP THE GRID UP!
Prudent People Prepare Properly

"better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it!"

good point
it's their job to keep up.
[ Parent ]
no disrespect intended, Dem
but I find if I really want to know what's going on at a healthcare facility, asking the nursing directors is a far more fruitful approach than asking most physicians.  

It appears that by and large, Infection Control people take the job through predisposition and interest in the field;  the ones in my hospital are very dedicated and really make a point of staying 'up' on things, not just the flu but lots of other issues.

KEEP THE GRID UP!
Prudent People Prepare Properly

"better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it!"

[ Parent ]
completely agree
no disrespect assumed ;-)

my favorite group to speak to, bexause they 'get it'.

[ Parent ]
Research on vaccine
This isn't from my doc, but from the research company associated with them.  This landed in my inbox this morning.  

Is it time to PANIC over the Pandemic Flu?

The answer is NO...
but it is time for more research

On June 11, 2009 the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a pandemic alert level 6 due to the ongoing worldwide spread of the H1N1 influenza virus (swine flu).  More than 70 countries, including the U.S. are now reporting cases of this infectious disease.

It's important that clinical trials take place NOW in order to create a swine flu vaccine that will prevent future outbreaks of the pandemic swine flu.  

(removed) Research specializes in conducting seasonal flu vaccine studies.   We have a vast amount of vaccine trial experience, and your health is our number one priority.

Due to the recent swine flu outbreak, we will be conducting swine flu vaccine trials for both adults age 65+ and children thru age 9 over the next few months.  Eligible participants in our trials are compensated for their time and effort while completing a study.  

If you are interested in participating in a swine flu vaccine study, or want more information, please give us a call.  Each trial will have a limited number of patients, so call us today to get your name on our list!    

                       Get a Doctors point of view about the Swine Flu at the following links
                            http://www.wwltv.com/video/new...
                                http://cbs11tv.com/video/?id=4...
                               http://cbs11tv.com/health/H1N1...

                                  CALL (removed) RESEARCH AT 1-800-(removed)
                                                     FOR MORE INFORMATION

Our doctors are finally clued in
We(3 daughters and myself) got sick in early June with what they finally decided at the tail end of our experience was pandemic flu. It was very frustrating. I asked again and again whether they thought it could be flu and they were still saying it was some sort of respiratory virus since we hadn't been to Mexico. Even I knew they were wrong. Luckily, my two daughters that are high risk made it though with only minor complications and no hospitalizations.

I was back at the pediatrician last week for a follow up on one of my daughters ongoing ear infection issue. This time he was singing a different tune about how flu was all over and that there was no way he would get on a plane right now(I had told him that my husband missed our flu experience because he was in France for a wedding against my wishes at the time). He admitted that he is worried about the fall. I am glad my girls made it though OK but I feel even better about our practice finally seeing the light.

Our doctors
Back in April, I contacted our child's pediatrician about swine flu. They refused to give us a prescription for Tamiflu, for us just in case she got sick. I explained that I am pregnant and therefore at greater risk if I am exposed and that I am our child's primary caregiver. I also stated that if she got sick, I'd have to take her out in public to fill a prescription, which would just expose others. Their response was basically that they don't want people taking Tamiflu unless they're certain it's the flu, that there weren't any cases in our county, that we should bring our child in immediately if she had any flu symptoms, etc. Since then, we have had confirmed cases in our county, and we've had a confirmed death in the adjacent county. The pediatrician's office still isn't giving out Tamiflu.

But hey, at least they called me back and talked to me about it both when I called and again at my child's recent well child visit. That beats the heck out of my Obstetrician, who couldn't be bothered to even answer basic questions related to my pregnancy. He dismissed my concerns about influenza and wouldn't even let me finish my sentence. We've since fired him and hired a midwife instead. ;)

Different levels of thought/concern
Our pediatrician (who is a fantastic) brought up pandemic flu on two visits in May and June without my prompting. He brought up the H1N1 vaccine, and he began to prepare me for the idea of giving my kids a potentially risky vaccine.

Both my kids have a severe egg allergy, so I thought I'd follow up on the subject with the allergist, who would be administering any egg-based vaccine.  He looked at me like I was insane.  He informed me that this vaccine would not be any different than the regular flu vaccine, and that high risk groups are people over the age of 65 and under the age of 2. (Of course, I've got an allergic two year old and an asthmatic four year old.)

I hope my allergist does his research before the fall.  

I also hope this vaccine doesn't have any long term side effects that take time to present...we could have a whole generation of messed up kids!

What are you hearing from YOUR physicians? | 44 comments
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