There's no fun in funeral 12/30/2008 5:12 PM BY CLARK GILLSEPIE Feature columinst
Two unwelcome gifts that we have been given this year are exceedingly dangerous to our senior wellbeing and even to our senior being altogether! So, it behooves us to live somewhat more carefully for a while in order to make 2009 live - period! What we are facing is an influenza warm up and further, with a potential attack of the norovirus (stomach flu). First, let's see to the real flu.
Our annual clash with influenza has begun and it is now proven to be lightly present in many states but only in two - Texas and Virginia - has it made real headway so far. The month coming up, however, is when we shall see how active this virus will become - an epidemic or just a light sweep. No matter which route it takes, we seniors need to avoid it in every way that we can. Fortunately, this year's main viral load (H1N1) has been correctly incorporated into the vaccine, so that our vaccination should provide good protection. Unbelievably, however, at this writing only about one third of us needing vaccine protection (and we are deeply into that group) have been vaccinated. There is still time to get the vaccine and with it, some delayed protection. We all need to go for it even though such protection is diminished by this late timing and by our age.
Incidentally, of the two flu modifying drugs - Tamiflu and Relenza - only Relenza seems to have any beneficial effect this year. The virus apparently has grown cozy with Tamiflu and that drug is thus no longer regularly therapeutic.
Our very best approach to managing this virus is to give it a wide berth. Someone saddled with influenza, or something that they recently touched has to transmit this string of foul virus molecules to us. A little farther along and after we have looked at the norovirus, we'll make a pass once more at our protective stance - which is just about the same for both viruses.
The norovirus - which is really a family of similar viruses that can all change form (mutate) easily and thus make vaccines almost a useless approach, are working their way around the world, including our American world. The stomach flu - which is their signature designation - is particularly prone to strike with force in confined communities - like cruise ships or nursing homes - not a very comparable set of examples! Stomach flu produces nausea, vomiting, stomach distress and diarrhea.
Sometimes these symptoms may be very distressful and even deadly if untreated. Infection transmission is achieved by close contact with an already infected individual or by clothing or other material contaminated by the vomit or excretions of an infected individual. Symptoms usually appear within 24 hours of infection and those so-burdened are contagious throughout the several days of active illness and for at least another three days afterwards. Treatment is limited to rest, isolation, symptom medication and fluid replacement. If vomiting and stomach distress should be severe, intravenous fluid and electrolyte replacement must be undertaken to prevent extreme, but rare complications - even death.
Again, prevention is the treatment of choice. For the norovirus, close contact of any sort with the sufferer must be avoided, and their vomit and excretions must be scrupulously flushed away while any contact cloth or clothing absolutely isolated. Anything they use must be kept isolated, and they, themselves, must not share in any household activity - particularly in food preparation - until at least four days after the illness has subsided.
For general protection against both of these predators, avoid public contact and exposure of all kinds. No hand contact or shaking. If you brave church, think of all the hands that your pastor has grasped before it is your turn. When a supermarket trip is unavoidable, rub the cart handle with the store's hopefully supplied antiseptic wipe or bring your own - you absolutely don't want to know what wretched things have been cultured from such handles. In that regard, avoid touching door or rail handles, elevator buttons or any other avoidable public source of contact. Keep your hands away from your face - particularly your mouth, nose, and eyes.
Unless it is critical, avoid the offices of we doctors which at this time are places where already-sick people have to congregate and sneeze and cough and spread. Just stay home - but if you do have to go out anywhere, wash your hands instantly and thoroughly when you get home with regular (not antibiotic) soap. Wash them regularly during the day - even if you don't go out - but always at once when returning home from anywhere.
Finally, avoid going to the hospital if you possibly can. For instance, it is often necessary to go to the hospital for a test which may be a part of a routine work up - and so that is a visit and procedure you can delay. Marvelous as our hospitals are, the disorders that congregate there - like the two we have been talking about - are best left alone. However, always avoid any healing institution of any kind that, on admission, gives you little ID card on a string and asks you to tie it to your big toe!
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