- Aug 21, 2010
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Goffins: Gabby, Abby, Squeaky, Peanut, Popcorn / Citron: Alice / Eclectus: Angel /Timneh Grey: ET / Blue Fronted Amazon: Gonzo /
RIP Gandalf and Big Bird, you are missed.
I call it by its ancestral name. The "flu" is Influenza, a viral scourge responsible for countless human deaths and pandemics through the ages.
Last week I was recovering from a common cold, but developed abdominal and back pain Monday. Saw my primary doc on Wednesday, had a chest X-Ray and labs. He thought the upper back pain might be pleurisy, inflammation of the lung lining. Palpating my abdomen sparked the concern for liver or pancreas issues. My labs posted late Wednesday night with the outlier of pancreas enzyme Lipase off the chart high at greater than 400 vs the norm at or below 58. I Googled feverishly and was not happy with potential pancreas issues.
Doctor called Friday with concerns of pancreatitis and ordered me to the ER with plans to possibly stay 3 to 5 days. The ER was jammed with waves of folks coughing, puking, lethargic bodies on chairs, plus the usual suspects on a Friday night at this regional trauma center. Had EKG, abdominal ultrasound, labs, and X-Ray. When I saw the attending physician for a summary, his diagnosis floored me. I had a moderate case of pancreatitis* that was likely caused by the flu. The cold was almost certainly an aborted case of one of the three strains protected by the current flu vaccine I received in November. When this happens, it presents as a cold, but the body is still attacked by the flu virus. In many cases it harms one or more organs, with me, the pancreas. The Lipase levels in the ER were much lower than the prior test Wednesday, so it was resolving. Traditional treatment is to cease oral foods and receive several days of IV fluids, nourishment, and meds.
Influenza is rampant across most of the U.S. and likely present in other nations. For those in the U.S, the CDC interactive map is amazing. You can click on each state/territory for local updates, or view prior weeks by sliding the red cursor near the top to the left. It is currently widespread across most of the U.S. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/usmap.htm
I don't wish to discuss the controversial aspects of vaccination, a highly emotional and divisive subject in the U.S. However, Influenza is a terribly contagious killer; if you have symptoms, please be cautious and seek help immediately. Onset is fairly rapid and hits hard: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/consumer/symptoms.htm
*Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, a vital organ. Often caused by excessive drinking, smoking, gall stones, and diabetes. None of these apply to me, so my fear Wednesday night while Googling trusted sources was the specter of pancreatic cancer.... the absolute worst variety. The internet can be a scary place! Kudos to my excellent primary doc for performing lab tests rather than assume it was a minor transient issue.
Last week I was recovering from a common cold, but developed abdominal and back pain Monday. Saw my primary doc on Wednesday, had a chest X-Ray and labs. He thought the upper back pain might be pleurisy, inflammation of the lung lining. Palpating my abdomen sparked the concern for liver or pancreas issues. My labs posted late Wednesday night with the outlier of pancreas enzyme Lipase off the chart high at greater than 400 vs the norm at or below 58. I Googled feverishly and was not happy with potential pancreas issues.
Doctor called Friday with concerns of pancreatitis and ordered me to the ER with plans to possibly stay 3 to 5 days. The ER was jammed with waves of folks coughing, puking, lethargic bodies on chairs, plus the usual suspects on a Friday night at this regional trauma center. Had EKG, abdominal ultrasound, labs, and X-Ray. When I saw the attending physician for a summary, his diagnosis floored me. I had a moderate case of pancreatitis* that was likely caused by the flu. The cold was almost certainly an aborted case of one of the three strains protected by the current flu vaccine I received in November. When this happens, it presents as a cold, but the body is still attacked by the flu virus. In many cases it harms one or more organs, with me, the pancreas. The Lipase levels in the ER were much lower than the prior test Wednesday, so it was resolving. Traditional treatment is to cease oral foods and receive several days of IV fluids, nourishment, and meds.
Influenza is rampant across most of the U.S. and likely present in other nations. For those in the U.S, the CDC interactive map is amazing. You can click on each state/territory for local updates, or view prior weeks by sliding the red cursor near the top to the left. It is currently widespread across most of the U.S. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/usmap.htm
I don't wish to discuss the controversial aspects of vaccination, a highly emotional and divisive subject in the U.S. However, Influenza is a terribly contagious killer; if you have symptoms, please be cautious and seek help immediately. Onset is fairly rapid and hits hard: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/consumer/symptoms.htm
*Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, a vital organ. Often caused by excessive drinking, smoking, gall stones, and diabetes. None of these apply to me, so my fear Wednesday night while Googling trusted sources was the specter of pancreatic cancer.... the absolute worst variety. The internet can be a scary place! Kudos to my excellent primary doc for performing lab tests rather than assume it was a minor transient issue.
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