Flu viruses rank up there with mosquitoes, rats, and slugs as creatures of questionable value to the Planet Earth. I realize there is a reason for all things at all times, but how I managed to invite one of these little RNA stuffed darlings into my nasopharynx is a mystery. I was washing my hands to the point of being red and raw and wearing a N100 mask when in contact with hundreds of coughing feverish patients. It still happened. It outsmarted sanitizer, respiratory barriers, and social distancing. So now on day three of fever and general misery, I bow in homage to the virus that lays millions low. Misery does not love company.
Viruses do tend to have an equalizing effect on society. They are no respecters of social status –one nose and set of lungs is as good as another. However, the fact that thousands of deaths occur annually due to these little creatures is significant. You’d think a virus would know better than to kill its own host, but some hosts can’t take the onslaught of cytokines and inflammatory response. It is still pre-H1N1 vaccine in most parts of the world, and some of the antiviral medications have little effect, so it becomes an outright virus vs. host battle. That’s what it feels like: a Lord of the Rings-Orks against the Elves and the Dwarves-onslaught happening in every muscle of my body. I’d forgotten about some of those muscles. Some haven’t made themselves known for decades, probably not since my last influenza, or when I tried taking a yoga class in my twenties.
So my only physiological response is fever. This isn’t necessarily a bad response, as some studies suggest that a hot host is not a hospitable host to many viruses. We’re not nearly as tolerant of fevers as we used to be. A recent study has shown that giving a dose of Tylenol to children before or after their routine immunizations, to help decrease pain and fever, actually blunts the immune response so they don’t make as much antibody, which is the whole point of the vaccination to begin with. So there may actually be need for fever in certain circumstances. In my lovely 50’s era baby book, my mother noted in 1955 that my 6 month shot was a “good take” because I spiked a 104 degree fever, signaling a good immune response to the vaccine. That was one way the doctors calmed down nervous mothers about brand new vaccines. Fever is a “good” sign. Nowadays, that kind of fever after a vaccination would be enough for a trip to the ER and potentially a law suit.
If there is anything I’ve learned in 30 years of doctoring, it’s that the pathogens continue to be smarter than modern medicine no matter what weapons, chemical or otherwise, we come up with next to arm ourselves. Thankfully, we have immune systems that are remarkably effective for most things, but the fight required to win the war with a virus is not for the faint hearted. It is a down and dirty trench and barbed wire battle field.
Just right now, it feels like time for a ceasefire…
Barnstorming 