Something to Knock It Out, Part 2

Influenza had afflicted a guest for five days with fever, body aches, and general misery. He had meetings, he said, and needed something to knock it out.

While antibiotics don’t affect influenza, antiviral drugs such as Tamiflu shorten the illness by a day or two. Sadly, they only work if taken within the first 48 hours; afterwards they are useless although doctors continue to prescribe them.  I gave him some useful medicine and told him that flu rarely lasts longer than five or six days, so he would feel better soon.

After I left, the patient went to a local clinic and received the traditional antibiotic which solidified his conviction that I did not know my business. A day after beginning the antibiotic he felt better which proved it. Confronting the hotel manager, he demanded his money back. Guests often believe that the hotel doctor works for the hotel.

The general manager phoned to pass on the request.