Have the flu? You Probably Shouldn't Go To the Doctor.
By: Angie Koehle
Updated: September 18, 2009
ALTOONA, BLAIR COUNTY - Every year flu shots are offered and every year there are people who would rather take the chance that they won't be infected. And when they are , sometimes they then go to the doctor.
"Because the flu of so contagious, if you have the flu it would not be a good idea to see your doctor," Dr. Robert Sullivan of Altoona said.
That is unless you're having shortness of breath.
"Many times people with the flu will get a viral pneumonia or a secondary bacteria pneumonia from the flu. Those are the situations you may have to got to the emergency room and get a chest x-ray and be further evaluated especially with breathing problems," Dr. Sullivan said.
Emergency management leaders are preparing for a swine flu outbreak, but doctors say that needs to be balanced with common sense.
"We want to make sure we do not create panic, mass hysteria. We also want to make sure that were prepared for minor outbreaks to major outbreaks," Ron Springer of the Cambria County Emergency Management Agency said.
"Most doctors aren't going to have the tests that they need to do to know if its the swine flu. You have to have nasal swab equipment to tell what type of flu it is," Dr. Sullivan said.
Dr. Sullivan said one way to be able to tell if you have the flu or just the common cold is the energy you have. If you're achy and can't get out of bed, it's likely the flu. If you just have the sniffles and a sore throat but can function, it is probably just a cold.
