REST & FLUIDS STILL GREAT ADVICE FOR BEATING THE FLU TAMIFLU CAN HELP TOO

(San Bernardino, Ca.) – If you have the flu, drink lots of liquids and get lots of rest.

“This advice is as good in the 21st Century as it ever was,” said Dr. Romeo Rodriguez, a doctor of internal medicine with La Salle Medical Associates.”

“But there’s one more we can do now. We can also prescribe Tamiflu,” he said. “This is an antiviral medication that will wipe out the virus causing the flu.”

Like all physicians at LaSalle Medical Associates, Dr. Rodriguez advocates people beat the flu before it happens, by getting a flu shot.

“If you have already had the flu though, you usually don’t need a flu shot for the rest of the season,”

Dr. Rodriguez makes a few exceptions to this rule though.

He would like those over the age of 65, and those who have chronic conditions such as diabetes, to have two flu shots per season. The first would take place as soon as the vaccine is available in the fall, followed by a second vaccine in January.

“If they had the flu early and did not get the first vaccine, we still would like to see our elderly and chronically ill patients again in January,” he said.

“The flu is hard on anyone, but when you are older or chronically ill, it can be even rougher. We want to do everything we can to prevent old and sick people from getting sicker.”

If you need Tamiflu or a flu vaccine, call the clinic closest to you.

The Mt. Vernon Clinic in San Bernardino is open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Thursday, and from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm on Friday. For an appointment call (909) 884-9091. This clinic provides Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatric and OB/GYN services.

The 17th Street Clinic in San Bernardino is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. For an appointment call (909) 887-6494. This clinic provides Pediatric and Neurology services.

The Fontana Clinic is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. For an appointment call (909) 823-4454. This clinic provides Pediatric and Teen Services.

The Hesperia Clinic is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday. For an appointment call (760) 947-2161. This clinic provides Internal Medicine, and Pediatric services.

The Lake Elsinore Clinic is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday through Thursday,. and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday. For an appointment call (951) 674-5686. This clinic provides Pediatric services.

LaSalle Medical Associates has 150 employees, including 19 physicians, with medical facilities in San Bernardino and Riverside counties. It accepts most forms of insurance, and will help patients who have no insurance to obtain coverage. For those who cannot get coverage, low-cost flu immunizations are available.