Extreme viral makeover

by Rob on May 21, 2008 · 8 comments

in Being a Doctor, Medical

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Go to MedPage to see what the CDC is doing to fight shingles and what I think of it.

This material, written by me, is free to re-post and share under the Creative Commons agreement. In other words, use it all you want; just give me credit.
  • Paul Prescott

    You do realize that Zostavax is about 39% effective in preventing post-Herpetic neuralgia, and 51% in preventing shingles? No too impressive.

    And, because Merck wants to make $$$ profit, ProQuad is NO LONGER available. To me, as a pediatrician, THAT is disgraceful

  • Paul Prescott

    You do realize that Zostavax is about 39% effective in preventing post-Herpetic neuralgia, and 51% in preventing shingles? No too impressive.

    And, because Merck wants to make $$$ profit, ProQuad is NO LONGER available. To me, as a pediatrician, THAT is disgraceful

  • Ken O.

    You do realise that this joke works better in North America than in the rest of the English-speaking world, yes?

  • Ken O.

    You do realise that this joke works better in North America than in the rest of the English-speaking world, yes?

  • Rob

    I sometimes forget the international audience. For those who don’t understand, look up “Extreme home makeover” on Google

  • Rob

    I sometimes forget the international audience. For those who don’t understand, look up “Extreme home makeover” on Google

  • http://pearlsanddreams.blogspot.com/ Peggikaye

    I’m curious as to why it’s only recommended to those over 60.

    I’m glad now that my mom’s doctor did not recommend this for her. She is in the ‘donut hole’ of medicare part D, where all her medicines are up to her to be paid for. She has another $2500 before medicare will help her pay for them again. She’d have had to pay the whole amount, and not have known it.

    My husband and I are both well under 60, but because of health issues, are on medicare. Don’s medicine costs will never get him even close to that donut hole. His won’t cost even $1500 for the year. Mine … I’m not only past the donut hole, but past their catestrophic level. Having had more than $5000 in medication costs by April 15 … they are helping me with all my medicines for the rest of the year (well, assuming they are covered by medicare)

    This whole system is so messed up. Is it better than nothing … probably. But confusing as all get out for most people, I can’t imagine my mom, with her declining cognitive skills being able to figure out what’s covered and what isn’t …the donut hole, catestrophic coverage … what vaccines are covered … it’s a mess!!

  • http://pearlsanddreams.blogspot.com Peggikaye

    I’m curious as to why it’s only recommended to those over 60.

    I’m glad now that my mom’s doctor did not recommend this for her. She is in the ‘donut hole’ of medicare part D, where all her medicines are up to her to be paid for. She has another $2500 before medicare will help her pay for them again. She’d have had to pay the whole amount, and not have known it.

    My husband and I are both well under 60, but because of health issues, are on medicare. Don’s medicine costs will never get him even close to that donut hole. His won’t cost even $1500 for the year. Mine … I’m not only past the donut hole, but past their catestrophic level. Having had more than $5000 in medication costs by April 15 … they are helping me with all my medicines for the rest of the year (well, assuming they are covered by medicare)

    This whole system is so messed up. Is it better than nothing … probably. But confusing as all get out for most people, I can’t imagine my mom, with her declining cognitive skills being able to figure out what’s covered and what isn’t …the donut hole, catestrophic coverage … what vaccines are covered … it’s a mess!!

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