Question

1. It is flu season, and although you had a flu shot last year, you have not had one this year. Imagine your- self experiencing an abrupt onset of fever, chills, malaise, muscle aching, and nasal stuffiness. A. Which of these symptoms would lead you to believe you are coming down with the flu? B. Because you hate to miss classes, you decide to go to the student health center to get an antibiotic. After being seen by a health professional, you are told that antibiotics are ineffective against the flu virus, and you are instructed not to attend classes but instead to go home, take acetaminophen for your fever, go to bed and stay warm, and drink a lot of fluids. Explain the rationale for each of these recommendations. C. Explain why last year's flu shot did not protect you during this year's flu season.

Answer 1

a. Symptoms include fever ,chills, malaise, muscle ache and nasal stiffness. Flu will come down with 1 month to 6 wks. Reduced fever, chills absence of nasal stifness may be signs when flu is comming down.

b. Flu is caused by virus. These viral infection are self limiting and need only conservative approach and symptoms should be treated. Initially first dose of of antibiotics is usually prescribed to avoid super-imposed bacterial infection. The flu will be reduced in 2-3 weeks.

C. The flu is usually caused by influenza virus. This virus goes for constant mutation for outer coat protein. So previous flu short cannot provide protection for next episode.