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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 9, 1982)
Thursday, December 9, 1982 Daily Nebraskan o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o rana urns I at o P LEFT 2 Page 8 oooooooooooooooooooo Side effects debated New drug combats flu epidemic 4 CPf taf Qtv 8:30-TILL CLOSE Drink Specials - Dancing Games 815 "O" St. under viaduct oooooooooooooooooooo O O O O O o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o By Peggy Polacek Winter winds whipping across campus may cause stu dents to develop influenza symptoms such as severe coughing, head and muscle aches or fever. These symp toms could indicate the beginning of a flu epidemic. Preventing a flu epidemic can be as simple as becom ing health conscious, but flu epidemic prevention may require the use of a drug called amantadine hydroclo ride, more commonly known by its trade name, Sym metrel. The drug is marketed by DuPont. Dr. Gerald Fleischli, medical director of the Univer sity Health Center, said he would not recommend the drug for the ordinary student, but rather for individuals not immunized that cannot afford to get sick. Those essential to a community's functioning such as police men, firemen and hospital personnel would fall in this category. People who suffer from a chronic illness like heart or lung disease may find their illness complicated if they develop the flu. Epidemic proportions should be evident before Sym metrel is prescribed. The drug works only on influenza type A, which is one of three types, Howard Vosika, a DuPont represen tative, said. It has been proven effective in combating more than 60 A-type strains. He added that Symmetrel is effective in 75 percent to 80 percent of flu patients. Proven effective in 1966 against an Asian flu, the drug is now available in nearly every pharmacy, he said. Dr. John Hansen, from the Downtown Health Clinic, said he questions the use of Symmetrel since the side effects may be worse than the actual flu symptoms. He described nausea and vomiting as possible side effects. (J JP :m:-i mmmm'mmmmmmmmwmmmmK , I 1 0 : : .; ; ' x'-KY ' ' ' ''. : i 'i; i r ' V .i .4 S; i :. .. 1 ? ': ' '". - ' J t 1 . i '. ' - - . t : j vi. '! .i f. '' " . ' '- -. I ', - . . ... i i f l - j. ..,.-"..,. 'j f .. r. ... a. imii ' f i ! - i,.,.,, -, wwm w i mni ii r ni-n ' if hi mjijji i iiii r.- j. i '.''i m 'Ml Ji .jlij il Mgl,ll,ll-'l',MM.iiiMijaiaiiMi.i)iniii ii , M nn,,,,, !!, , Ml 'iwi,itl,w,www,ri,w;-) Vosika, however, said, there is a low incidence of side effects, compared to vaccine side effects. He said there is a 30 percent incidence rate of side effects with vac cines, while there is only a 7 percent rate with Symmet rel users. Side effect symptoms he described were dizzi ness and lightheadedness. High-risk patients such as the very young or old mav be given Symmetrel to prevent further spreading of the disease, Vosika said. Hansen said Symmetrel is most often used for flu outbreaks in nursing homes or other semi-closed institu tions. If Symmetrel is taken within 24 to 48 hours of the onset of flu symptoms, Vosika said, results should be seen within 28 hours. Symmetrel taken as far as five days into the illness helps the patient get over the post flu weakness associated with recovery. Symmetrel is prescribed in seven- to 10-day dosages, Vosika said. He said Symmetrel, available in capsule or syrup form, is usually less expensive than cough syrup. "We don't have any evidence of an influenza-A epi demic at this time," Fleischli said, "although a few flu cases have been reported around Atlanta." The flu season is November through March, Fleisch li said, and the health center is working with the Lincoln Lancaster County Health Department to prevent a possible flu epidemic. Reagan trip . . . Continued from Page 2 The growth Brazil experienced in the 1970s may look good in terms of Gross National Product measurement but not in terms of income distribution over the whole population, Avery said. The gap between the country's rich and poor actually may be wider than in the past, he said. Brazil has concentrated on agricultural exports, urban industrial production and foreign investment growth, Avery said. "There is a great compatibility between Reagan's policies and the Brazilian growth model," he said. The Latin American people tend to resent U.S. involve ment in their countries because they believe that U.S. manufacturing firms are edging out local industry. They also fear the occurrence of "capital flight," which happens when the the profits of a business are transferred com pletely back to the United States rather than reinvested in their own countries, Avery said. o o TAKE NOTE Include A Stop At The "CoHege" In Your Christmas Planning STYLES PERMS HAIRCUTS at student prices! it's your last chance before you go home i tnt&n . 4744244 Appointment or Walk in Hth&M (So. of Centrum) "Lincoln's Corner on Hairstyling" $1