|
|
|
LIBRARY This library contains easy-to-understand instructions about most health problems. This library is always open for you. Click on the underlined links below to enter the websites. GENERAL HEALTH INFORMATION American Academy of Family Medicine RESPIRATORY INFECTION / CONGESTION / SORE THROAT / COUGH If you get sick with cold / flu symptoms (and are generally healthy age 2-65 without severe symptoms such as persistent fever >100.4, difficulty breathing, severe fatigue, severe pain, dizziness, confusion, or vomiting) you should REST, drink plenty of FLUIDS, and AVOID CONTACT with other people. Most respiratory infections, including H1N1, do not need professional medical care. Most infections are viral and do not respond to antibiotics. Unnecessary anti-bacterial antibiotics can lead to fungal infections and contribute to antibiotic resistance. Center for Disease Control Recommendations for Cold or Flu. Get Smart About Antibiotics. Bronchitis (Chest Cold). Rest (limit school, work, exercise) so your body can put it's energy into healing. The main danger and discomfort of respiratory infection is dehydration. Your body needs more fluids when you are sick. Fluids with sodium (salt) can help you retain more fluids. Drinks such as Pedialyte (for children), Gatorade, and meals such as soup are good for hydration. You need to be fever-free for 24 hours and not coughing before you can go to work or on an airplane. Infections are usually spread through respiratory droplets or direct contact. Help others from catching your illness. See below for over-the-counter recommendations. Potentially Harmful Over-The-Counter Medicines for Respiratory Symptoms - avoid decongestants - they constrict blood vessels thus reducing blood flow to the nose and elevating blood pressure; they seem to work in the short-term, but long-term often cause rebound worse congestion when the effect wears off; read the labels carefully because most OTC "cold", "sinus", or "congestion" medicines contain decongestants (e.g. pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine), take this to the pharmacy and read the labels carefully or you will probably end up taking a decongestant - avoid alcohol - present in many "nighttime medications", usually gives you longer sleep, but does not give you as much deep Rapid Eye Movement (REM) restful sleep, alcohol also lowers your immune system and reduces your ability to fight infection - avoid dextromethorphan (unless you have a dry cough) - this is a cough suppressant, not an expectorant, and can prevent mucous from coming out HELPFUL Over-The-Counter Medicines for Respiratory Symptoms [avoid if allergic to these] + saline nasal spray - irrigate out your nose and sinuses with a salt water spray so mucous and infection are removed + guaifenesin syrup - for sinus congestion or cough, labeled as an "expectorant", usual adult dose is 100-400mg every 4 hours + diphenhydramine - if you have recurrent symptoms, you may have allergies; usual adult dose is 12.5-50mg at bedtime (makes you drowsy and helps you sleep) + acetaminophen - for fever or pain (do not take if liver disease, are taking warfarin, or have any other contraindication), usual adult dose is 500-1000mg every 6 hours HEALTH PROMOTION Disease Prevention + Health Promotion California's Smokers' Helpline Physical Fitness for Disabled - free Adaptive Yoga + Adaptive Swimming + Arthritis classes My Exercise Plan - assessment tools and tips for creating an effective exercise plan; always stretch BEFORE and after exercise to prevent injury and optimize tone and performance; "no pain no gain" is a MYTH; if you have pain, don't train (rest from exercises that cause pain and cross-train with other exercises) Meditation and Yoga - donation classes downtown ROUTINE CANCER SCREENING Breast Colon Prostate Cervix/Gynecologic SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS San Diego County Services - Where to Get Tested for $15 COMEDY - Laughter is Great Medicine :D Working It Out - a comic strip occasionally featuring the doctor in this clinic (our former patient who moved out of state is the talented cartoonist) FLU VACCINES + PREVENTION Flu vaccine manufacturers are prioritizing the production of H1N1 flu instead of seasonal flu vaccines. We have no seasonal flu vaccines. For the H1N1 vaccine, priority is given to age 6 months - 24 years, those at high risk age 25-64, pregnant women, caretakers of those <age 6 months, and healthcare personnel. The live H1N1 nasal spray vaccine is recommended for age 2-24 and healthy age 25-49. Vaccine production so far cannot keep up with demand. We have run out of H1N1 nasal spray vaccine and will post here when it comes in. We currently have the inactivated H1N1 shot. Those who would like the spray can go to the county health department. For general prevention of respiratory illness, avoid sick people and stay clean (wash hands). |