Sick Doctors Refuse to Take the Day Off

Your doctor is often quick to tell you how best to recover from colds or flu. But what happens when sickness strikes your doctor? We asked some.

Most say they practice what they preach by drinking plenty of fluids and taking medicine. But although they tell patients to take it easy, they don’t often call in sick themselves.

* Clifford Rubin, Beverly Hills pediatrician, UCLA associate clinical professor of pediatrics :

“My resistance is so good as a pediatrician that only about once a year do I get sick. Usually it is croup or laryngitis. I wear a mask for a day or so (to prevent spread of infection). I drink a lot of fluids. I drink a lot of chicken soup.”

* Michael Roth, Santa Monica allergist and immunologist:

“This year, I got a flu shot because I didn’t want to take a chance on getting it. I rarely get sick. I’ve had one cold over the last three years. For a cold, I take antihistamines at night only (to avoid daytime drowsiness) and take decongestants during the day if the cold is really bad. I carry lots of tissues.”

* Donna Shoupe, USC associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology; contraception researcher:

“I never take time off, although I do tell patients to do so. I go to bed early--by 7 p.m.”

* Alexander Lampone, medical director, emergency department, St. John’s Hospital:

“Every year I get a flu shot. It’s not 100%, but it helps. If I do get sick, I follow the adage about rest and drinking fluids. I treat symptoms. If my nose is congested, I may use a (decongestant) nasal spray, but just for a day or two. I usually continue to work but stay away from patients, concentrating instead on paperwork and administrative duties.”

* Colin Stokol, pain control specialist, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and Centinela Hospital Medical Center:

“I don’t go to bed (during the day). That’s too depressing. I minimize patient contact. I take it easy. I drink a reasonable amount of fluids and I don’t overexercise.

“With a cold, the worst problem is disruption of sleep. I will use nose drops so I can breathe and sleep properly.”

* Ross Miller, pediatrician, Childrens Hospital, Los Angeles; USC assistant clinical professor of pediatrics:

“For flu, rest is No. 1. I come home, go right to bed and stay there for 12 or 14 hours. Even if I don’t sleep, I expend little energy. I drink fluids, juices mostly, because my appetite is usually poor (while sick). I will take acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Nuprin) for fever, headache and general discomfort. Just bringing a fever down makes you feel better.

“For a cold, I take over-the-counter antihistamines or decongestants, the time-released long-acting formulas. I also take two or three hot steamy showers or baths a day. That tends to loosen up mucus. I walk around with a box of tissues.”