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Fighting the Flu May Hurt Those Around You

Posted by Unknown on from the suffer-for-the-good-of-society dept.

sciencehabit writes "When you've got the flu, it can't hurt to take an aspirin or an ibuprofen to control the fever and make you feel better, right? Wrong, some scientists say. Lowering your body temperature may make the virus replicate faster and increase the risk that you transmit it to others. A new study claims that there are at least 700 extra influenza deaths in the United States every year because people suppress their fever."

2 of 351 comments (clear)

  1. Stay Home by CohibaVancouver · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I'm quite sure the larger contributing factor to the flu spreading is people going to work while sick, not a suppressed fever.

    Much better approach would be creating a culture in the USA where its OK to stay home when sick.

    But of course we can't do that, because SOCIALISM.

    1. Re:Stay Home by Bacon+Bits · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Trust me, it's being paid for by everyone (including the one getting the "free" healthcare) - but the costs are hidden in your taxes.

      You say that like it's not also true without socialized or universal heathcare. The only difference is that the costs are hidden in taxes, unpaid debt, and lost productivity instead of merely taxes. Or did you think all those unpaid medical bills just disappeared?

      --
      The road to tyranny has always been paved with claims of necessity.