Virus Related Tips & Reminders

Soap and water, still best defense.

Your best defense is washing your hands frequently, especially after shaking hands.

"Just as serious as people sneezing and sending droplets through the air, is shaking hands with someone who has just coughed or sneezed. When you rub your eyes, nose or mouth, you inoculate yourself with those germs. The eyes, nose and mouth are all mucous membranes and pathways into your body," Charles D. Ericsson, M.D., professor and clinical director of Infectious Diseases at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston and director of the UT Travel Medicine Clinic explains.
Love thy neighbor

Being courteous and staying healthy are synonymous this time of year and will go a long way in protection. Ericsson recommends that you cover your nose with a tissue when sneezing, cup your cough, wash your hands often and stay home if you are sick.
Someone old; someone new

"It is important to identify the groups who would be most at risk if they get the flu. Watch out for them in your family and friends: The very old, the very young, pregnant women, and people with chronic heart and lung diseases, such as asthma and emphysema.," says epidemiologist George L. Delclos, M.D., MPH, medical director of The University of Texas Health Services at Houston. These persons need protection because having the flu can predispose them to bacterial pneumonia.
Cover your own bases

"If you are caring for a flu patient, and you have not been vaccinated, there are prescription drugs (Tamiflu) that can decrease the likelihood of you getting it, and those same products can shorten the duration of the patient's illness," observes Delclos.
Comfort maybe, but no cure

After taking a health history and gathering information, he asks his patients what specific symptoms are bothering them. "With most viral respiratory infections, the treatment is usually directed at making people feel better because there is no specific treatment or cure," Delclos says.
Don't knock chicken soup

Drugstore shelves groan with the weight of over-the-counter products. Low-tech is safest. If you're congested, use a decongestant vaporizing ointment, a properly cleaned and maintained humidifier, or get in a hot steaming shower. And research backs up the decongestant properties of Mom's chicken soup-it really is nothing to sneeze at.

A bothersome cough may benefit from a cough suppressant, and many of today's products include an expectorant, which induces clearance of phlegm. If you do not understand what all the labels mean, ask the pharmacist.

Remember, you'll only be treating your symptoms, not your viral illness.
Unless your name is Doc, refrain from 'Heal Thyself'

Many over-the-counter cold preparations though increase blood pressure in hypertension patients or interact with other prescription drugs, such as certain antibiotics or anti-depressants. It is best to consult your physician before self-medicating, even if it does promise "fast relief in just minutes!"
No aspirin for the kids

Remember, never give aspirin to a child to lower fever or at any other time unless you give it under a doctor's orders. In kids under 18, aspirin or other salicylates (not to be confused with acetaminophen or ibuprofen) has been linked to Reye's Syndrome , http://www.reyessyndrome.org/ a deadly condition that usually strikes at the end of a viral illness.
Strep throat is different

Another prevalent winter condition that is often confused with the initial symptoms of a "bad cold" or the flu is strep throat (from the bacterial Group A streptococcus family). It's usually heralded by a fever and sore throat simultaneously. See your doctor if this occurs because this bacterial infection can develop into rheumatic fever-a complication that can affect the heart-if not treated with an antibiotic.

But at least, in most cases, it can be treated because it is not a virus.

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UPDATED: 2-02-2004

About Dr. Ericsson:

Dr. Charles D. Ericsson is professor and clinical director of infectious diseases at the UT Medical School.

See Dr. Ericsson also at:

Health Tip:

Special Instructions for Children Being Vaccinated Against Flu for the First Time:

Children 6 months up to 9 years of age getting a flu vaccine for the first time will need two doses of vaccine the first year they are vaccinated. If possible, the first dose should be given in September or as soon as vaccine becomes available. The second dose should be given 28 or more days after the first dose. The first dose "primes" the immune system; the second dose provides immune protection. Children who only get one dose but who need two doses can have reduced or no protection from a single dose of flu vaccine. Two doses are necessary to protect these children. If your child needs two doses, begin the process early, so that children are protected before influenza starts circulating in your community. Be sure to follow up to get your child a second dose if they need one. It usually takes about two weeks after the second dose for protection to begin.

Because flu viruses change every year, the vaccine is updated annually. So even if you or your children got a flu vaccine last year, you both still need to get a flu vaccine this season to remain protected. If October and November slip by, and you haven’t gotten your children or yourself vaccinated, get vaccinated in December or later.