I called your office hoping

you could see me and prescribe the new flu inhibitor, Tamiflu (oseltamivir

phosphate), which must be taken within two days after the onset of symptoms

to be effective. Your assistant said that you were booked solid, and offered

to make an appointment for tomorrow. But I was pushing the 48-hour time

limit in which the medication might work, so that was of no help. When

I explained the time element to your assistant, you sent back word that

if it was an emergency, I should go to the emergency room.

Isn't the ER for life-threatening

emergencies that can't be treated in a doctor's office? Should we be further

taxing our overburdened ER staffs with medical issues that can be handled

no choice but to take your advice. It will cost me more, and will cost

the taxpayers as well.

When we spoke later, you framed

the issue as a question of dividing your time between young patients and

elderly patients. I respect your dedication to serving your elderly patients,

but I don't think that should make those of us under 65 second-class patients.

Your contention that I was

"selfish" to request an appointment because I'm "a young,

healthy man" is curious. The late Jim Henson was a young, healthy

man who only thought he had a mild flu. Tens of thousands of people each

year are hospitalized due to influenza, many succumbing to complications

from the disease.

According to Roche Group website:

"Visit your doctor right away if you think you have symptoms. Tamiflu

treatment should begin within two days of symptom onset." This recommendation

is made to all patients, so I gather you think this drug company is selfish.

And since oseltamivir phosphate is FDA-approved, they must be selfish,

too.

I also had my baby daughter

to consider. With my wife ill, I am my daughter's caretaker. (We took

great care to minimize her exposure to my wife's illness.) If I too became

highly contagious, my infant daughter would be exposed and therefore at

greater risk. (The medical risks of influenza in children under 1 are

equivalent to the risks for people over 65.) While the jury is still out

on the issue, there is some medical evidence that inhibiting the flu virus

with oseltamivir phosphate also reduces the level of contagions.

And since my 4-year-old attends

preschool, minimizing his exposure to influenza would lower the risk to

other children in the community. If that's your definition of selfish,

so be it.

I am sharing this letter with

the readers of our local paper ­ both patients and doctors ­

with a genuine interest in their perspective. Maybe I'm wrong. I am open

to other points of view.

Kevin Kelton

Fayetteville