It certainly is. While most people diagnosed with pneumonia eventually develop a symptomatic cough - not all of them do. Symptoms of pneumonia can vary widely.
For instance, one woman recently had a cough for weeks. When she went to her physician she was initially diagnosed with bronchitis. She had aching lungs, and a racking cough that was so bad she injured the intercostal muscles between her ribs, but the physician did not hear fluid in her lungs. She was also fever-free. A week later, after the original antibiotics didn’t improve her condition, she was given a chest x-ray that came back abnormal. A subsequent CT scan revealed she had pneumonia in both lungs. A stronger course of antibiotics eliminated the pneumonia.
At this time of year, it’s not uncommon for many of us to feel more tired than usual - the circadian rhythms of our body are adjusting to shorter days and longer nights, and many of us are fighting off infectious diseases such as a cold or the flu. However, there is one infectious disease -mononucleosis (mono) - that can make you extraordinarily tired for several weeks.
Known informally as the “kissing disease” mono can be caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which is passed along via saliva, sharing a glass or utensil, coughing or sneezing. Most people consider mono to be very “catchy,” yet it’s not generally more contagious than the common cold.
I’m willing to bet the majority of you know someone who’s had the flu this year - it’s been a busy season and it’s only November. I’m often asked, “What can I do to keep myself healthy?” - and find that people are surprised by some of the basics they’ve overlooked.
We’ve all heard it before - to stay healthy you need to eat well, exercise, and get plenty of sleep. People get tired of hearing that - but these are the basic building blocks of keeping your immune system in top form. You need to fuel your body, cleanse your body with a good sweat and increased blood flow, and then give it the chance to recuperate. It really does make a difference.
Beyond that, common “mistakes” I’m seeing this year as people try to avoid the flu are as follows.
Antivirals have taken center stage recently because of the continued proliferation of N1H1. Several people have requested I answer the following question - Just how does an antiviral, like Tamiflu, work? Further, if I have N1H1 this summer, am I immune in fall?
To answer the first question - the antiviral Tamiflu is the brand name for the generic drug, Oseltamivir, typically used to treat and prevent Influenza A and B. It has also been found to be effective against N1H1. As a flu treatment, an antiviral is most effective if taken within 48 hours of the onset of flu symptoms - if taken after that period of time, you simply may have too much of the virus within your body for the antiviral medication to be effective.
While cases of swine flu caused by the H1N1 virus are decreasing and its severity appears to be lessening, the CDC will continue to monitor the progress of this infectious disease - with a special focus on the Southern Hemisphere as their flu season kicks in during in next few months. As things heat up in the Northern Hemisphere, we generally see a break in the flu season because the flu virus tends to do best in cold and dry conditions. However, if you or your child are ill, it is still important that you stay home and avoid contact with others to prevent spreading your illness. See your health care provider so they can determine whether or not you in fact have Swine Flu - but wear a mask to the clinic. And if your child is ill, keep your child home.
Is swine flu gone for good? Certainly not. Remember, this is a new virus and the human population has not developed immunity to it. In previous cases of new viral outbreaks of flu - those in 1918, 1957 and 1968 - there was resurgence of the flu in the cooler seasons. In all three cases, the initial viral outbreak was mild, with more severe outbreaks months later.
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