Category Archives: Influenza

In Public Health, Defending The Status Quo Isn’t Good Enough

Posted on February 7, 2018 by mikethemadbiologist

Public health programs, which is to say their funding, are under assault by Il Trumpe and the Republicans (WORST BAND NAME EVAR). Recently, they announced they would cut programs that track and combat infectious disease in other countries–for those of … Continue reading →

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If You Ever Wonder Why Doctors And Scientists Get Shouty About Vaccination

Posted on February 5, 2018 by mikethemadbiologist

Here’s why (boldface mine): Ms. Rogers had been sick for five days. Because she used an inhaler, Dr. Greenberg offered her a prescription for Tamiflu, even though it normally is effective only within the first two days of infection. Ms. … Continue reading →

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Sick Leave Lowers Flu Transmission: Lessons From D.C.

Posted on September 15, 2016 by mikethemadbiologist

I’ve discussed many, many, many times how stupid it is to oppose sick leave policies. After all, do you really want someone who is sick handling your food? (Answer: no). A recent working paper appears to back up that claim. … Continue reading →

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Influenza and The Misuse of Antibiotics

Posted on October 16, 2015 by mikethemadbiologist

Sometimes I think nothing changes when it comes to the responsible use of antibiotics (boldface mine): Antibiotic prescriptions were given to nearly half of all flu patients, and half of those prescriptions were for broad-spectrum antibiotics… Out of 14,487 patients … Continue reading →

Posted in Antibiotics, Influenza | 2 Comments

Do This

Posted on September 29, 2015 by mikethemadbiologist

Flu season is starting, so protect other people from you–get your flu shot:

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A Public Health Question About the Bird Influenza Epidemic

Posted on May 23, 2015 by mikethemadbiologist

You might not be aware of a massive bird flu epidemic ripping its way across the U.S.: Iowa, where one in every five eggs consumed in the country is laid, has been the hardest hit: More than 40 percent of … Continue reading →

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Maybe If We Panicked About Influenza Like We Did Ebola…

Posted on January 12, 2015 by mikethemadbiologist

Oh, who am I kidding? Meanwhile, dead babies (boldface mine): Flu is now widespread in 46 states and has killed 26 children, health officials said today. “This year is shaping up to be a bad one, particularly for people 65 … Continue reading →

Posted in Fucking Morons, Influenza | 2 Comments

Infectious Disease Counterintuitry

Posted on January 1, 2015 by mikethemadbiologist

If you don’t like the word I invented (I’m rather fond of it), slatepitch will do just fine. Speaking of Slate, a Slate writer was granted space on the New York Times op-ed page to decry the effort to keep … Continue reading →

Posted in Fucking Morons, Influenza, Viruses | 1 Comment

The Question That Needs to Be Asked of the Ebola Fear Mongers

Posted on October 23, 2014 by mikethemadbiologist

It is this: Have your had your flu shot? Between norovirus and winter vomiting disease, we’re going to have a lot of false alarms, if the hysterical reaction to Ebola right now is any guide. The fewer people coming down … Continue reading →

Posted in Fucking Morons, Influenza, Viruses | 1 Comment

The Weakest Link in Any Secure System Is a Human: The CDC-Influenza Edition

Posted on August 18, 2014 by mikethemadbiologist

As you might expect, the CDC released its report on how its influenza lab managed to accidentally ship an influenza sample contaminated with avian influenza late in the day on an August Friday. Shocking, I know (and pdf format makes … Continue reading →

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