What do you do when you get the flu?

[vtach]

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Should you take sick time if you have a fever of greater than 101.5, body aches, cough, sore throat and congestion? Another point, usually after day 4 or 5 of the flu you seem to be doing better but infective until day 7. When or if is the right time to take time off if you have the flu?



Case in point , at the hosiptal I am rotating at, if you have a positive strep screen you have to leave the hospital and cannot return to work until you have taken 24 hrs of antibiotics.

 

[jamdo]

My thought has always been "if you feel you need to take sick time, then you probably should". I wouldnt get too worried about when to take it and when not to do so. You have sick days for a reason, they do no good just sitting there unused. Just dont abuse the system and youll be fine.

 

[dobonedoc]

Maybe you better get a note from your doctor.

Oh yeah, you are a doctor . . .

Guess you better call home.

 

[sweetfynesse]

My feelings are that if its bad enough that you wish you didnt have it, why risk going to work and spreading it, especially if you work around really sick patients....

 

[Sessamoid]

If you actually have to think about whether you can go to work or not, you probably don't have influenza. If I have a cold, I usually just put on a resp mask and go to work.

 

[Scrubbs]

Originally posted by Sessamoid
If you actually have to think about whether you can go to work or not, you probably don't have influenza. If I have a cold, I usually just put on a resp mask and go to work.

Agreed... I think its sort of funny when people come into the ED and I'm actually sicker than they are. 2 Tylenol and a few Sudafed and off to work I go...

 

[ERMudPhud]

Originally posted by Sessamoid
If you actually have to think about whether you can go to work or not, you probably don't have influenza. If I have a cold, I usually just put on a resp mask and go to work.

I have to agree with this one. I got the flu this year 2 weeks after my flu shot and it kicked my ass. I have never felt so miserable for so long. 14 days of fevers to 103, coughing until I puked, too weak to do anything, lost 15 pounds. I don't ever want to be that sick again. I called in sick for the first time in my life.

 

[Sessamoid]

Originally posted by ERMudPhud
I have to agree with this one. I got the flu this year 2 weeks after my flu shot and it kicked my ass. I have never felt so miserable for so long. 14 days of fevers to 103, coughing until I puked, too weak to do anything, lost 15 pounds. I don't ever want to be that sick again. I called in sick for the first time in my life.

Yeah, well as we all know now the CDC missed the most prevalent strain of flu in the vaccine this year. Oops.

 

[DocWagner]

I have personally seen at least 100 confirmed cases of influenza (rapid flu latex agglutination) in the past 15 days at the Childrens ED this month.

I will give you my "talk" to parents and the prevailing advice from the hospital.

Influenza (if older than 12 mos of age) can be treated with Tamiflu if detected within the first 24-48 hours of illness. It is NOT a miracle drug, rather it shortens the course by a day or two. Rehydration with clear liquids is of utmost importance, as well as the control of the fever. Fever in adults generally lasts 48 hours with max temp of 102...children up to 105.
Adults present with congestion, cough, fever and the "bronchitis" appearance. DON"T TAKE A Z PACK!!! It is the flu. I have had at least 50% of my patients misdiagnosed by FP or Peds.
YOU CANNOT go to work unless afebrile for 24 hours. You are preventing an outbreak by NOT going. If you decide to go, where a mask. Your friends WILL catch it. Your family WILL catch it.
I have treated ENTIRE families with it.

DON't go the ED...please.