Tuesday, December 12, 2006

Medical Catch-22

I started to take prednisone for a medical condition last week. The information sheet indicated that steroids lower your immunity. So I thought it would be a good idea to get a flu shot this year. I never have gotten one before, but it seemed like a good idea. Well, the doctor refused to give me one! Seems that since steroids lower your immunity the doctors and pharmacy companies don't want to get sued if you have a reaction. So they would rather you catch the flu naturally and suffer a long time than risk a lawsuit. This is most absurd.

My wife has been taking prednisone for 15 years and never had trouble getting a flu shot in China. Of course, China doesn't have the lawyers and lawsuits we have. Her parents are convinced our medical system is so bad here that they don't want to risk a visit.

We are worried about losing to the terrorists - I think we have already lost to the lawyers.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

"Her parents are convinced our medical system is so bad here that they don't want to risk a visit."

You should resarch the truly terrible Chinese health care system.
The Chinese government have began (so slightly) because of social unrest to reform it's malpractices, lack of care, fake medicines and profit before people system

That comment says more about her family that you are aware of.

Paul said...

Maybe you should research the truly horrible British medical system.

Your comments put you in a bad light in my mind. You seem vindictive, angry, resentful and generally off-balance