I got to wondering: Are we so healthy that the doctors have nothing to do but administer medication for the flu?
I find it curious that when we get the flu, our tendency is to see the doctor or go to the emergency room for an antidote to the virus. It used to be when we got the flu and saw the doctor, he would try not to scoff at us. "It's just the flu," he'd say. "Go home, get plenty of rest, drink lots of fluids, and cover your mouth, for gosh sake, when you cough or sneeze." Well, the doctor wouldn't forsake the gosh, or, if he did, at least not say it out loud."
Same thing with the cold. I think the doctor would actually look at us with disdain, but he would've covered his scowl by puffing out cigarette smoke, if those old movies are to be believed that doctors smoked cigarettes while seeing their patients.
The difference between having a cold and the flu? To me, the Husband is quite a lot more miserable when he has the flu. Over the last several years, however, he's not as miserable so last month I was surprised when he told me it was the flu he had. "This too will pass," he said, staying warm under the blankets. The Husband is a tough cookie, I tell you.
As to my original question (up at the top of the post if you can't recall), I do think that we're healthier, in general, and the doctors are quite busy helping us stay healthier.
Until later.
P.S. We're actually having a wintery day! The wind is swishing through the trees and chilled air is coming through the windows. Excuse me, I need to find my sweatshirt.
We've had some lovely wintery days and now we're getting flood warnings because it's all melting quickly while raining. I think if you have a Dr., go to them after using common sense. Which all the people critically ill from the flu this record year I say get all the help you can.
ReplyDeleteHope things are doing okay in your neck of the woods. I agree about seeing a doctor, especially when you're within the high-risk groups.
DeleteI had the flu for the the third year in a row, despite getting a flu shot every year. The aches and pains and the respiratory congestion are the worse part of it fr me. It is scary how many people are getting pneumonia and dying from the flu this year.
ReplyDeleteIn January, I would go out into the stores only for groceries for us and food for Molly the Cat. We get the flu shots every year. It seems to work for me more than the Husband.
DeleteBack in the day, you actually either recovered by using common sense or you died. Nowadays, Drs don't want people to die from the flu (well, none of us do) so yeah vaccine and tamiflu if you still get it. I'm worried the epidemic next year will even be worse because people will think they might as well not get the shot.
ReplyDeleteI read that people were getting the flu back in October which made me wonder if it spread faster during the Christmas shopping season.
DeleteGenerally, I believe most (common) illnesses run their course. I think we have gotten very accustomed to running to the doctor for every little thing, and the bugs have themselves gotten more sophisticated - and it goes on in this endless cycle. I try hard not to take medicine unless it is really required. Have never had a flu shot and have never had the flu.
ReplyDeleteFortunately, I'm one of those people who get the occasional cold and a flu now and then. About 10 years ago, because we were living with the Mama, who was in her 80s, I started getting the flu shot. I don't know if it's been helpful or not. The Husband gets the flu shot, too, and continues to get the flu each year. I kind of wonder if you're prone to catching the virus, you'll catch it regardless. Still you never know how much the vaccine may help.
DeleteWhen I got the flu, my mom made sure to give me peppermint tea and snuggled nicely on the couch so I could watch tv. If I had a fever, and mine could go as high as 104, my mom( who got this from her grandmother) would take a wet,warm towel, wrung out, and wrap it around my calves and then a dry towel. She would have to do this every 20 min. Or so since this sucked th fever out! It worked every time. It is still good to see the dr if one gets an infection which can happen
ReplyDeleteLong ago I saw a movie set in the 19th century in which the main character had a heavy fever and to draw it out raw potato slices were somehow wrapped to the bottom of his feet. I often wondered if that works.
DeleteUnfortunately because of the world today, most people's immune systems are compromised in one way or another, even if they aren't sick. The other thing is that because of the overuse of antibiotics, they're not as effective in battling infections,(which the flu is not, it's a virus of which there is no cure, yet) and finally, because the flu, like any virus, mutates from generation to generation, what worked last year, may not necessarily work this year.
ReplyDeleteThe best thing is, of course, to do stay home, but our world is structured in such a way that it is almost impossible to do.
So true! I need to be reminded. Because I've been fortunate to work at home for most of my career time, I forget how bad it is to get sick in a workplace with no open windows and constantly circulating air.
DeleteFlu virus weakens. And medicines are of little help. Home remedies help a lot!
ReplyDeleteI do rely on home remedies a lot. When that doesn't work, it's off to the doctor's office.
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