I’ve had no choice but to institute a mandatory vitamin C policy at work. Every morning I walk around the office and dispense a one gram dose to all of the staff and tell them to think pure thoughts. We’re a small office in a small town and the wave of influenza, gastroenteritis and good old-fashioned head colds has hit us hard. Three of my four nurses, the lab tech and half the secretaries are ill, I’m the only doctor in the office and things have been looking a little grim. It’s like a post-apocalypse movie- the few survivors doing what they can to help the coughing masses.

OK, it’s not quite THAT bad.

As a physician I’m obviously not a fan of direct to consumer pharmaceutical advertising. Regardless of what the television tells you about the purple pill, you’re still stuck with the medication your insurance (and actual diagnosis) dictates. I must say though, I love the "Flu Facts" campaign. Those dancing penguins crack me up, and the information presented about symptoms and treatment is useful, even though it’s sponsored by a company that is trying to sell antivirals. Does the end justify the means? I don’t know if the education provided is going to help the Roche ad execs get into heaven (I doubt it, but I’m a little jaded about drug companies) but it’s awful cute and informative. Anyway, I hope everyone is healthy and had a lovely holiday. Keep taking your vitamin C!