Web Chat on the Flu and Flu Shots with Dr. Andrew Spooner, Pediatrician (The following is an edited transcript of questions and answers from a web chat held on Friday, February 7, 2003 on WREG, News Channel 3)

Moderator: Welcome to this week's chat.

Q: If a person got a flu shot in October do they need a booster now?

Dr. Spooner: No, no booster needed. The best time for a flu shot is in October or November.

Q: How long does the sickness last?

Dr. Spooner: Usually the illness lasts 3-5 days, but the upper respiratory congestion can last a while afterwards.

Q: I am an asthma patient. Will the flu make my asthma worse?

Dr. Spooner: Yes, people with asthma who get the flu have a harder time with it. People with asthma should get a yearly flu shot.

Q: Then should I get a booster flu shot?

Dr. Spooner: No booster needed. If you got your shot in October or November, you're OK. There is nothing wrong with a booster--it won't hurt you--but it's not necessary. This year, there is plenty of flu shot supply; not so in previous years.

Q: Have any deaths been reported because of flu?

Dr. Spooner: Flu kills thousands every year.

Q: I was thinking about our city.

Dr. Spooner: The good news this year is that the flu is less deadly this year than 3 years ago, when it was really bad. It's safe to assume that by now there have been many deaths in Memphis. I have no statistics though.

Q: What is the best thing to do for the cough that accompanies this flu?

Dr. Spooner: The cough of the flu is the same as the cough from most other things; cough medicine's aren't great, but they might help a little. I have always been under-impressed with cough medicines, personally.

Dr. Spooner: Anybody got the flu?

Responses:
1) 12 people in our family have it.
2) 5 of them in my house

Q: My 5 year old grandson has been off since 1/31 and is still running a temperature over 100, should he go to a Doctor?

Dr. Spooner: 8 days is a long time for fever from the flu alone.

Q: It is down to normal in the AM then up in the evening. We are seeing a lot of different viruses these days--some do give prolonged fever.

Dr. Spooner: Have you run your child's symptoms by the nurse?

Response: No.

Dr. Spooner: You might want to review things over the phone--it might save you a trip to the Doctor's office.

Reponse: He has been to 104 a couple of times but stays about 100 now.

Q: So basically we just have to let it run it's course?

Dr. Spooner: With almost all viral illnesses, letting it run its course is the best we can do (aside from offering basic nutritional support).

Q: How long does this flu/virus stuff usually last?

Dr. Spooner: The worst part of the flu is over after 3-5 days, but you might have some residual nose symptoms.

Q: My son who is 8 just had his tonsils out about three weeks ago. He was released from the doctor but he is now sick. Is he at any greater risk for anything bad and should I go ahead and take him to the doctor?

Dr. Spooner: 3 weeks after a tonsillectomy, you should be all healed up.

Q: Does a vitamin help? What can you do to increase the immune system regarding this?

Dr. Spooner: Vitamins don't seem to help viral illnesses.

Q: I teach and have had several students sick. Do you have recommendations to help in the classroom as far as the germs spreading etc?

Dr. Spooner: There are medicines for the flu, but You have to start taking the meds within the 1st 48 hrs of symptoms and the effect of the meds is pretty minimal on the symptoms of disease.

Handwashing is the best way to prevent spread of all respiratory viruses, including the flu. What I mean by handwashing is washing hands every time you contact a surface or a person. That's hard to do in a classroom where there's no sink!

Q: That would be great if all of them would actually do this wouldn't it? As far as a teacher that would be almost impossible. What about hand sanitizers?

Dr. Spooner: Yes, the alcohol-based hand sanitizers are great. Baby wipes or "Wet Ones" are a good substitute.

Response: Thanks for the help. I hadn't thought of the wipes-- good idea!

Q: My 10 month old has cold sores all around her top lip. Should I take her to see her Doctor or is there something I can put on them?

Dr. Spooner: Cold sores: Vaseline helps prevent the painful cracking. There are antiviral ointments but they aren't really used in kids.

Q: Is there anything to speed the healing?

Dr. Spooner: Nothing (except avoidance of infection) makes healing of any sore or wound any faster. The best way to avoid infection is simple soap washing, followed by a thin layer of Vaseline.

Dr. Spooner: I am going to go home and take care of my vomiting kids!

Thank You

This is Channel 3. Thanks for logging onto our chat today. Be sure to tune in next week for our Wednesday chat. We hope today's chat was helpful. You can also visit the UT Medical Group web site at www.utmedicalgroup.com .

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