What is Influenza?
February 27, 2008 by Kitchen Table Medicine
Filed under Common Cold/Flu, Flu Shots, Influenza, Stomach Flu
It seems many people commonly confuse “the flu” with influenza. I think most people commonly refer to a stomach flu (also known as viral gastroenteritis) as the flu. Viral gastroenteritis caused by rotavirsus, or adenovirus is what makes us vomit and sit on the toilet with relentless diarrhea. These “stomach flu’s” although miserable are typically self limiting and resolve after 24 to 72 hours.
What doctors call “The Flu” is the actual notorious influenza virus that can be lethal to elderly and immunocompromised folks is a nasty two week long affair that involves a high fever usually over 102 F, chills, body aches, sore throat, cough, and may also include diarrhea and vomiting but less commonly. If you have these miserable symptoms it is extremely important that you stay home and take care of yourself so that you are not infecting those with weak immune systems that can have severe complications from this illness.
Although I determine the need for a flu vaccine on a case by case basis, generally speaking most healthy individuals do not need to be vaccinated against influenza as the virus is not likely to kill them. If you want to be vaccinated against this illness that decision is entirely up to you. I do however recommend a flu vaccine for any elderly or immunocompromised patient, people caring for or living with these patients, patients with heart and lung conditions should also be vaccinated as a preventative measure.
Again if you are suffering from the symptoms of influenza please be sure to STAY HOME and prevent the spread of this miserable illness!
Author: Dr. Nicole Sundene
Naturopathic Physician
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I take about 10,000 mg of vitamin C a day to avoid being sick, is that bad?
Mclaughlin- I don’t think that is bad, it might be a little overkill though as the body typically only utilized about 500-1000mg max off vitamin C per hour or so. Since vitamin C is water soluble you may just be flushing your money away! When we are sick we need more vitamin C so that our white blood cells can replicate and fight disease, amping up vitamin C to 10,000 is not uncommon at that time. But if something seems to work for you and it is not harming you, then I believe it all goes back to the saying “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it”.