Health Chats
Is It the Common Cold Or Something More Serious?
Tuesday Mar 17, 2009, 03:00PM - 04:00PM (EST)
Can you tell the difference between the common cold and the flu? How about bacterial infections such as bronchitis or pneumonia? According to the CDC, flu activity is just starting to pick up in the U.S. and could continue into April or May. <br><br>
As an Urgent Care physician at Palo Alto Medical Foundation, Dr. Enoch Choi sees quite a few cases of these viral and bacterial illnesses and he will be available to answer your questions live at March 17, 2009 3:00PM EST. Join Dr. Choi to learn about the flu vaccine, antivirals, antibiotics, and alternative preventative measures such as humidifiers, saline drops and sprays, herbal supplements, and honey and find out whether these treatments are suitable for children, the elderly and other high-risk groups.
latenight:
Is it okay to workout when you have the flu? I actually feel better after I do it but my wife keeps telling me not to do it.
Enoch Choi, MD:
work out! do it double so i won't have to. just kidding. it really does help. it increases your immune response
melissw:
I really feel that echinacea and zinc help when i feel a cold coming on. Is there any truth to this?
Enoch Choi, MD:
nope, sorry, doesn't help
ChitChatNine:
Can the flu mist be given to a child who is asthmatic?
Enoch Choi, MD:
no
mamaof2boys0608:
What kind of cold relief medicines can you take while breastfeeding, if any?
Enoch Choi, MD:
many medications pass thru breast milk so it's better to just use humidifiers, salt water irrigation with those cute blue bulb syringes, and tylenol and ibuprofen
kaymedium:
I got sick after getting the flu shot. Does it make sense not to take the flu shot since there is a chance I might not get the flu as opposed to definitely getting it with the shot?
MedHelp:
We have about 5 more minutes in this health chat. If you have any additional questions, please submit them now.
Enoch Choi, MD:
that's the reason my wife gives for not getting it. she got the "flu-like" mild illness and won't ever get a shot now. If you've ever had the flu like me, you'll get the shot every year. I wouldn't wish that hell on my enemies
Enoch Choi, MD:
you feeling lucky? go to vegas. Better odds that you'll win a million there than you not getting protected from flu frmo flu shot
Enoch Choi, MD:
that is to say, the flu shot is totally worth it
SeatownHero:
Could intense head/neck pain be a side effect of a flu shot?
Enoch Choi, MD:
headache is possible. if you have neck pain & stiffness then go see your doctor
latenight:
Are the flus in different parts of the world the same so that if you get it in the US you are immune when you travel?
Enoch Choi, MD:
currently, there are 3 strains out there. they're well covered by the current shot. it's different every year.
Enoch Choi, MD:
different parts of the world get the same flu
mamaof2boys0608:
I just wanted to say thank you for your time Dr. Choi, Happy St. Patricks Day!
Enoch Choi, MD:
Happy St. Patties! easy on the green stuff tonight y'all!
angelallang:
hi enoch: it's angela wong. just observing...
Enoch Choi, MD:
hey angela! congrats on your baby! come and host a chat here! when do you want to!?! (pssst. angela is a fellow doc at my clinic!)
ea_poe:
thank you Dr. Choi...this has been very informative
Enoch Choi, MD:
you're welcome!
kboomer:
Do flu shots have any possible side effects?
Enoch Choi, MD:
yes, the mild flu-like illness which is rare
Cindy:
Thanks Dr. Choi - this was great!!
Enoch Choi, MD:
you're welcome!
melissw:
I never get the flu shot because i've heard that it only protects against one kind of flu. is this true and if so, how do they determine which flu will be the most prevalent in any given year?
Enoch Choi, MD:
it protects against many many diferent isolates: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/
Enoch Choi, MD:
they study what is spreading in asia and innoculate the eggs in the spring
palo_alto_mom:
Is there a difference between the nasal flu shot and the regular flu shot in the arm?
