Monday 24th December 1990 Afternoon coffee and debrief 16:50 “Good afternoon, everybody. I am very pleased to report that this week has not been as busy. It looks as if the 1990 influenza epidemic may be waning.” Mrs Andrea Jones smiled
Typical flu symptoms.
Thursday 20th December 1990 Morning coffee break 12:17 “Mr Gibson was stroppy this morning.” “Why was that, Desmond?” Dr Lewis was signing the prescriptions. She looked up. “I said that we wouldn’t visit his wife. She’s had typical flu symptoms: fever,
It’s not the flu, Mrs Vaughan.
Thursday 20th December 1990 Morning surgery 10:34 “It’s not the flu, Mrs Vaughan. You’ve got a cold.” “Aren’t we in the middle of an influenza epidemic?” “Yes, we are.” “I was under the impression, Dr Dennis, that, in a flu epidemic,
Could I have the flu jab?
Tuesday 18th December 1990 After dinner 20:00 “Could I have the flu jab, Dad?” “Don’t be stupid, Declan.” I scowled. “You don’t work in the surgery. Dad and I have the flu jab because we work in the surgery?” “What about
I think it’s influenza.
Monday 17th December 1990 Dennis’ evening surgery 17:30 “I’m sorry, Mr Brightman. That’s what I think it is. You can see my Dad if you want but you will have to wait a couple of hours. He’ll probably say the same
It’s just the flu.
Monday 17th December 1990 Dennis’ evening surgery 17:20 “Don’t be such a wimp, Harry! It’s just the flu.” “I’m not sure why I’m seeing you anyway, Dennis. I thought doctors weren’t supposed to treat their own mates.” “You don’t need any
First weekly practice influenza debriefing.
Monday 17th December 1990 Afternoon coffee and debrief 16:50 Mrs Andrea Jones came breezily into the staff room. “Good afternoon, everybody.” She said. “Thank you for coming. I thought it would be useful to have a weekly practice influenza debrief. I
Another trip to Ashbury Lodge.
Thursday 13th December 1990 Morning coffee break 12:45 “There’s been a late call from Ashbury Lodge, Lois. They’ve got 9 patients for you to see.” “I went there yesterday, Desmond. I saw 5 patients then.” “Well, 3 of those have deteriorated
Man flu.
Thursday 13th December 1990 Home visit 11:45 “You shouldn’t have come to see me Doctor. It’s just a slight touch of flu.” “Your wife was quite worried about you.” “Yes, Gladys does tend to overreact. Look, if I had known you
Tara, Tabitha and Tesni.
Tuesday 11th December 1990 Dennis’ evening sugery 17:39 There was no way that I was going to see Tara, Tabitha and Tesni. Examining one small child is difficult enough. I rang through to reception. “You will have to rebook the
This can’t be the flu, Dennis.
Tuesday 11th December 1990 Dennis’ evening sugery 17:33 “This can’t be the flu, Dennis. I’m feeling far too weak and I don’t want anything to eat.” “You can get those exact symptoms with the flu, Mr Tanner. You’ll perk up
This can’t be the flu, Dennis.
Tuesday 11th December 1990 Dennis’ evening sugery 17:27 “This can’t be the flu, Dennis. This cough is awful. It’s so bad, I think it must be a chest infection.” “I don’t think so, Mrs Lawson. If you had a chest
This can’t be the flu, Dennis.
Tuesday 11th December 1990 Dennis’ evening sugery 17:20 “This can’t be the flu, Dennis. I have had this temperature for too long.” “I think it is, Mr Chapman. The flu usually causes a temperature for about 5 days, occasionally longer.
Tara, Tabitha and Tesni.
Monday 10th December 1990 Morning sugery 09:20 “Good morning! How’s Andrew?” “He’s been flat out with the flu but he’s a bit better today.” Mrs Tarley sat down. “The receptionist said that, while I was here, I could ask you to
No wax at all.
Monday 10th December 1990 Morning sugery 09:18 “There’s got to be, doctor. They both feel completely blocked.” “No, I’m sorry, Mrs Vaghan. There’s no wax at all.”
It’s not the flu, Mr Cross.
Monday 10th December 1990 Morning sugery 09:13 “It’s not the flu, Mr Cross. You’ve got bronchitis.” “Bronchitis? I thought it was just the flu.” “No, it’s bronchitis. You’ll need some antibiotics I’m afraid.”
It’s just influenza, Mr Soames.
Monday 10th December 1990 Morning sugery 09:10 “It’s just influenza, Mr Soames.” “Just influenza! I‘ve got a dreadful headache. It’s right over this eye.” “You can get a dreadful headache with influenza.” “I am sure I’ve got sinusitis, doctor.” “You may
She’s got the flu, Mrs Price.
Monday 10th December 1990 Morning sugery 09.04 “She’s got the flu, Mrs Price.” “But she’s got a really bad sore throat, doctor.” “Yes, I’ve got an awful sore throat. I can’t eat a thing, doctor. It’s feels like I’m swallowing broken
You’ve got the flu, Mr Wiley.
Monday 10th December 1990 Morning sugery 09:00 “You’ve got the flu, Mr Wiley.” My Dad sighed. “I am sure I’ve got a chest infection. I am coughing up loads of phlegm.” “Your chest sounds completely clear. You’ve got typical flu symptoms.”
Toad in the hole.
Friday 7th December 1990 At home 21.17 We’re starving! Mum always insisted that we had to wait for Dad to come home from work before having dinner. Tonight, he hadn’t arrived until 9:15. He looked defeated. “Oh, Desmond! You must have
If you’ve got the flu, dial 222!
Thursday 6th December 1990 Morning coffee break 11.55 “The government are launching the new Community Influenza Rapid Action Teams tomorrow, Lois.” Mrs Andrea Jones came into the staff room carrying a large glossy brochure. Dr Lewis looked up. “Really!” “Yes, it
I don’t know what the fuss is all about.
Thursday 6th December 1990 Morning surgery 11.27 Dad made me have the flu jab at the end of surgery this morning. “You’ve got to have it if you’re working here, Dennis.” I don’t know what the fuss is all about. I
I’m not having the flu jab, Dr Dennis.
Thursday 6th December 1990 Morning surgery 10.50 “Are you aware that 250,000 people died in the United Kingdom in the 1918 Spanish Flu epidemic, Mrs Highly?” “I am not having the flu jab, Dr Dennis.” “They also estimate that influenza causes
Nathan Preston and the 1990 flu epidemic.
Thursday 29th November 1990 Morning coffee break 12.22 “I don’t know why we don’t give school children the flu vaccine,” my Dad said angrily. “That’s where it starts, in school. I have just seen Nathan Preston and I can guarantee he’s
Every time I have the flu vaccine, I catch the flu.
Thursday 29th November 1990 Morning surgery 10.10 “I tell you the same thing every year, Dr Dennis. Every time I have the flu vaccine, I catch the flu.” “The flu vaccine doesn’t cause the flu, Mrs Crosby. Perhaps you mean you
My father died after having the flu jab.
Thursday 29th November 1990 Morning surgery 09.10 “No, I am not going to have the flu jab, Dr Dennis. My father died after having it.” “Your father died after having a massive stroke, Mrs Hunter.” “He died the day after he