This statement is false.
If you go see a doctor within 48 hours of coming down with flu symptoms (or exposure to someone who’s infected), and you have the actual influenza virus, there are several prescription medications that can shorten the duration of the illness.
I learned this a few weeks ago when I got a TamiFlu prescription after going in for what I thought was strep throat…
I once had a really, really nasty case of the flu; I ended up going to the emergency room when, one day after theoretically recovering from it, my temp shot up to 104. I had developed a truly vicious case of strep throat because my immune system was totally demolished after two weeks in bed with the flu. And I was a young, healthy adult at the time.
Speaking of stubborn people who won’t call an ambulance when they need one, let me present Papa Tiger. Who last year feared he might have a bleeding duodenal ulcer (having had one in the past, at least he knew enough to recognize the few symptoms, which do not include stomach pain). I was taking a nap when he decided he probably needed immediate medical attention. I woke up and came downstairs just as he was about to drive himself to the hospital. He said didn’t want to wake me up.
Mind you, when we got there they pumped out nearly two liters of blood from his stomach; he was a hair’s breadth away from passing out when I came down and found him about to drive himself 20 miles across town to the ER. It never occurred to him to call an ambulance if I wasn’t awake to take him.
Sheesh.
On another thread a few month’s back, I reported an article which ran in The Cincinnati Enquirer paper outlining the frustrations the local EMTs were experiencing from a few habitual abusers of the system.
Seems that since a “cannot refuse” policy went into effect a few months back (thanks to a lawsuit), a handful of people have been using the ambulance as their personal taxi service. Come Saturday night, they’ll call 911 and say the magic words “chest pains.” The ambulance comes right to their door, picks them up, and drives them to the hospital, which is conveniently located near the Old Vine Street bar district! Upon arrival, the patient says he is feeling better, refuses treatment, and then walks down the street towards the bars.
It’s better than a taxi! It’s quick, convenient, and free! And the city is helpless to do anything about these people, because thanks to the lawyers, EMTs aren’t allowed to blacklist these people nor are they allowed to exercise their best judgement when deciding whether to transport.
I just hope one day someone will give these these ignorant assholes a real reason to call an ambulance.
In Missouri, it’s a misdemeanor to make a false 911 report, punishable by a pretty hefty fine and some jail time (I don’t remember how much; I’ll try to remember to ask one of the cops I work with tonight). I think most states have laws about false 911 calls. If that’s the case in OH, PunditLisa, maybe the emergency rooms could start notifying the police when they get 911 transports coming in and suddenly being “cured”. They could send out a few summons and see how fast these low-lifes come up with cab fare on Saturday night.