Fearing Ebola? Get a Flu Shot

[MrChicagoRN, RN]

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20141030/us-med-ebola-flu-advice-3a53ac6975.html

CHICAGO (AP)-Fever? Headache? Muscle aches? Forget about Ebola-chances are astronomically higher that you have the flu or some other common bug.

That message still hasn't reached many Americans, judging from stories ER doctors and nurses swapped this week at a Chicago medical conference. Misinformed patients with Ebola-like symptoms can take up time and resources in busy emergency rooms, and doctors fear the problem may worsen when flu season ramps up.

That's one reason why doctors say this year it's especially important for patients to get their flu shots: Fewer flu cases could mean fewer Ebola false alarms.

"The whole system gets bogged down, even if it's a false alarm," Dr. Kristi Koenig said during a break at the American College of Emergency Physicians' annual meeting.

Since the first Ebola diagnosis in the U.S., on Sept. 30 in a Liberian man treated in Dallas, doctors say they've had to reassure patients with many fears but none of the risk factors...

[Mulan]

A flu shot won't protect me from Ebola!!!!!

(this is tongue-in-cheek so don't everybody get their panties in a wad)

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

A flu shot won't protect me from Ebola!!!!!

(this is tongue-in-cheek so don't everybody get their panties in a wad)

Why would you want protection from a disease that causes thousands of US deaths a year, when the vaccine for the one that apparently causes 1 a year isn't available yet? (Also tongue in cheek)

[elkpark]

Why would you want protection from a disease that causes thousands of US deaths a year, when the vaccine for the one that apparently causes 1 a year isn't available yet? (Also tongue in cheek)

Not one US death a year -- one US death in almost 40 years. :)

[Back2SchoolRN]

Yes, false alarms are bad, and so would someone ignoring "flu-like" symptoms when they did have risk factors, because they presume it's most likely the flu. Worst come to worst, if a national hysteria develops, it could be taking your life in your hands to be out in public, clearly febrile and coughing/shivering! And yet you would need to get out to get help, most likely, since as we know the flu can be fatal, too. Its a good year to get a flu shot, for sure.

[Emergent, RN]

Fear Ebola? Stop eating junk food and soda pop, cut back on sugar, cook balanced meals at home, and start exercising.

Most health problems in our wealthy nation come from over indulgence in processed foods and lack of exercise.

[BostonFNP, APRN]

Perfect.

Sent from my iPhone.

[Tenebrae, BSN, RN]

One of our politicans suggested curing ebola with homeopathy:yes:

[toomuchbaloney]

One of our politicans suggested curing ebola with homeopathy:yes:

Was it the same one that was going to prevent rape and pregnancy with an aspirin?

[ICURN7]

Was it the same one that was going to prevent rape and pregnancy with an aspirin?

…lolzz

[caroladybelle, BSN, RN]

Was it the same one that was going to prevent rape and pregnancy with an aspirin?

Or that your body could "shut it down" if you really didn't want it.

[NutmeggeRN, BSN]

Or that your body could "shut it down" if you really didn't want it.

Oh yeah! We are on a roll today!! Happy Monday!!