Defending Against This Season's Deadly Flu : Shots
Randy Bergen
"We're seeing the worst of it right now " said Dr. Randy Bergen  a pediatrician who is leading Kaiser Permanente-Northern California's anti-flu effort. "We're really in historic territory  and I just don't know when it's going to stop." (Kaiser Health News  which produces California Healthline  is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente.)
"Some protection is better than no protection "  Bergen  said  "but it's certainly disappointing to have a vaccine that's just not as effective as we'd like it to be.
If you are sick  cover your cough and stay home from work if you can   Bergen  said. Remaining hydrated  eating nutritious foods and exercising can also help strengthen your immune system.
The hallmarks of flu are fever and body aches that accompany cough and congestion   Bergen  said.
Kaiser Permanente doctors now are being advised to prescribe antiviral drugs like Tamiflu â given as a pill or  for kids  an oral suspension â even without a lab test for influenza   Bergen  said. According to a report in The Los Angeles Times  however  Tamiflu supplies are running low.
And  Bergen  cautioned that these medications are only partly effective  reducing the time of illness by just a day or two.
"We're seeing the worst of it right now " said Dr.  [TGT]   a pediatrician who is leading Kaiser Permanente-Northern California's anti-flu effort. "We're really in historic territory  and I just don't know when it's going to stop." (Kaiser Health News  which produces California Healthline  is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente.)
"Some protection is better than no protection "  Bergen  said  "but it's certainly disappointing to have a vaccine that's just not as effective as we'd like it to be.
If you are sick  cover your cough and stay home from work if you can   Bergen  said. Remaining hydrated  eating nutritious foods and exercising can also help strengthen your immune system.
The hallmarks of flu are fever and body aches that accompany cough and congestion   Bergen  said.
Kaiser Permanente doctors now are being advised to prescribe antiviral drugs like Tamiflu â given as a pill or  for kids  an oral suspension â even without a lab test for influenza   Bergen  said. According to a report in The Los Angeles Times  however  Tamiflu supplies are running low.
And  Bergen  cautioned that these medications are only partly effective  reducing the time of illness by just a day or two.