Calling LTL (non-gem-related)

[Harriet]

My apologies for putting you in a awkward professional position. I wouldn''t have answered had someone asked me for legal advice. Please excuse me. I''m not thinking straight because of this darn bug.

 

[LtlFirecracker]

I will answer general medical questions. I do not like to answer individual situations, puts me at risk of needing a lawyer ,

General characteristics (although the cold likes to break the rules)

Low grade fever (up to 101)
sore throat
some appetite
some aches, exp when having a fever
congestion (this is the biggest thing)
headache from the congestion
if it is a cold that hits the GI tract, nausa, vomiting, diarrhea....these ones don't last that long
a typical cold lasts 7-10 days.

If a patient is getting better, than a week or so into it gets a new fever and recurrance of sx, I start looking for a bacterial source. Infections don't usually start bacterial, and most colds go away on their own. But often when someone gives me this story, I find a source suggesting a bacterial cause (pneumonia, sinusitis, ear infection in the younger ones).

Flu

The cold but much worse. I would the hallmark of the cold is congestion, the hallmark of the flu is the malaise (general body aches all over). The nausea is usually worse and more long standing. I think the generalized weakness is much worse. The flu also has more complications associated with it (pneumonia).

There is a rapid test for the flu, and if it is caught early there is medication that can shorten the course.

And since I am putting this up, I will put all the stuff I say to protect my patients and cover myself: Go the ED or see your doctor (depending on the situation) if you are unable to tolerate any liquids and are becoming dehydration, having any respiratory problems, mental status changes or other concerning changes.

ETA: I love the CDC website. Explains things in english: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/coldflu.htm

 

[LtlFirecracker]

BTW, no worries, I hit up all my lawyer friends in real life for advise. I have been guilty too .

 

[Harriet]

Thanks. Feel free to hit me up. In general terms, of course.