Keeping the Flu Away
I sure hope I don't have to go to the doctor during flu season this year! The media has me paranoid about germs. It's like having my mother whispering in my ear "Did you wash your hands?" a hundred times a day. It seems everywhere I go there is complimentary hand sanitizer or wipes for customers. Makes me want to go home and shop on-line. People are coughing into their elbows, which is apparently a good way to confine the germs, but is still a reminder they have the germs in the first place. Everyone who is the least bit sick seems to automatically have "swine flu," or so they tell us between coughing and sneezing. We are seeing ads for all kinds of merchandise advertised as effective at fighting off germs such as vitamins, foods, cleaning products, sanitizing sprays, lotions, gels, tissues, even a keyboard you can submerge in water to wash between users. Do these things even work or are we just caught up in the focus on germs this year?
I got my flu shot at a drive-in clinic with our local hospital and I didn't have to leave my car. I can pick up prescriptions at a drive-through window or have them delivered. I have a physician who addresses routine health concerns and prescription refills via email. I am sure there is a point you are told you have to come in for a face-to-face visit but email is worth a shot (pardon the pun). If they insist I come in, I will try to remember all of the precautions I am reminded of daily from the media. I am going to use the left door handle (less people grab this one), use my elbow for the elevator selection (not the elbow I just coughed in), use my own pen to sign things, keep my coat on until I get in the examining room, and try not to touch too many things. I certainly will try to avoid the bathroom, doorknobs, water fountains, shaking hands, or sitting near those sick patients in the waiting room.
Hmmm....I wonder if my doctor heard about the software designed to diagnose coughs over the phone? I better send him the news link to watch.... It may save me a trip to the office next time!