Viability of Influenza Vaccine Among Physicians

Objective: Influenza is a common but miserable illness with rare but serious cases of encephalitis, associated community acquired pneumonia and high risk of absenteeism from work.  Could this malady be avoided by getting the influenza vaccine?

Methods:  Survey of 12 physicians (10 of them them radiologists at UHN in Toronto) from all parts of the world on whether it was worth it to get a "flu" vaccine.  Countries represented included: South Korea, Germany, Australia, former USSR, Saudi Arabia, India, Ireland, Greece, Canada and USA.

Results: A total of six physicians received the vaccine and two reported having side effects of fever and chills.  Six physicians declined the vaccine citing concerns of side effects including symptoms of infection, terrifying ascending paralysis (Guillain-Barre syndrome) and one physician reporting, "I never get sick".

Discussion: We can state that the influenza vaccine may be effective against contracting the influenza virus.  None of the vaccinated physicians have become infected (so far) and five of the six non vaccinated physicians have not become infected.  However, at least two of the six vaccinated physicians were symptomatic and regretted getting vaccinated.  The one physician who was infected would only consider receiving the vaccine for next year.

Conclusion:  Never say, "I never get sick." and you can meet people from all over the world in Toronto.

Case of the Day - December 8, 2008

History: A family of 4 children, all under 10 years old, present on different days with high grade fever (lasting 5 days), vomiting and extreme malaise and myalgia (muscle pain).  Seven days after the first child's symptoms the father presented with the same high fever, severe vomiting (including small amount of hematemesis) and unable to go to work for three days.

                                             Figure 1.

Finding: Both patients in figure 1. could not retain food for 5 days.  Ultimately the orange jello was vomited.

Diagnosis: Influenza A or B

Discussion: Although vomiting is more common in children while infected with the influenza virus, this shows the youthfulness of the dad.  None of the family received the influenza vaccine (which was widely advertised in community health system).  Miraculously the mother dodged this bullet but had the unfortunate responsibility to care for all invalids. According to the patients, especially the dad, this illness should be avoided as it was the most miserable encountered in some 15 years.

Sunday Dinner

Even though we miss our Sunday family dinners in Utah, we have found good friends here in Toronto to continue the tradition. If fact they cooked a delicious  Swiss meal for us. Ute and Dirk are from Germany and are training in Toronto like Colin.