Flu Drug Works Better Than Vaccine

Q. Last Thursday my daughter came home from school sick and running a fever. I took her to the doctor, who diagnosed her with the flu and wrote a prescription for Tamiflu.
Because I had gotten a flu shot in October I didn’t think I would have a problem, but on Friday afternoon I was stricken with a high fever, sore throat and chills. My daughter (who is 10 and usually very healthy) recovered by Saturday afternoon.
I remained in bed over the entire weekend and then started taking Tamiflu. I was impressed with how well this medicine worked. My daughter, who started Tamiflu right away, got the greatest benefit, but it also worked well for me.
The strain of flu going around is not prevented by this year’s vaccination. I have been faithfully vaccinated for the past 20 years and this is the first time in all of those years I have ever contracted the flu. Is anyone paying attention to how many people who have been vaccinated are still contracting the flu? I think this is important information.
A. It will be several more weeks before experts know how well the flu shot worked. We have heard from others, though, that the vaccination did not protect them from this year’s Fujian flu. Tamiflu does seem to work quite well to speed recovery from all strains of influenza.
Q. Over the holidays we visited my brother and his family. His wife is a passionate vegetarian. I have been following a modified Atkins diet with great results. Not only have I lost weight, but my cholesterol and triglycerides have improved.
We had a big fight about the health benefits of a low-carbohydrate approach. Their diet is high in carbs. Do you have any information that I could send her that would demonstrate the science behind my success?
A. Until recently, there was little research to demonstrate whether a high-protein Atkins-style diet was helpful or harmful. But over the past few years, studies published in journals such as the American Journal of Medicine, the New England Journal of Medicine and the Mayo Clinic Proceedings have shown that a low-carbohydrate diet can help people lose weight without raising cholesterol and may even be heart-healthy.
We are sending you a CD of a one-hour radio interview we did with experts who have conducted studies of a low-carb diet. Anyone else who would like to order this CD may send a check for $15 to Graedons’ People’s Pharmacy (#452); PO Box 52027; Durham, NC 27717-2027.
Q. I cut aspirin tablets in four pieces so each is the same strength as a baby aspirin. Usually I take it before bedtime for my heart.
Is it all right to take it in the morning with my vitamins after breakfast? I’ve heard we shouldn’t take aspirin on an empty stomach and by bedtime my stomach is probably pretty empty.
A. The heart benefits of aspirin are long-lasting. It is perfectly fine to take your quarter tablet with breakfast or supper.
Q. Are there any earplugs that can shut out both noise and air pressure? The change of pressure when a plane is landing hurts my ears and ruins my hearing.
A. Special earplugs called Earplanes (1-800-EAR-6151) contain a ceramic device designed to equalize pressure gradually. They also filter out noise without impairing hearing.