it's flu season again. time for my yearly rant regarding the flu, flu shots, and "the stomach flu."

flu shots help prevent whatever strain of influenza virus they predict may be floating around this year. the flu is caused by the influenza virus and is a respiratory illness. symptoms of the flu are as follows:

• Fever (usually high)
  
• Severe aches and pains in the joints and muscles and around the eyes
  
• Generalized weakness
  
• Ill appearance with warm, flushed skin and red, watery eyes
• Headache
  
• Dry cough
• Sore throat and watery discharge from the nose

i know what you're thinking. where's the stomach pains, the diarrhea?? you got a flu shot last year and you still got sick! you were throwing up and had diarrhea for two days. it was horrible! that darn stomach flu. dianne, why didn't you list the vomiting and diarrhea?

well, because you had gastroenteritis. it's caused by any variety of stomach bugs, be they viral or bacterial. there is no flu involved in the so-called "stomach flu." no flu shot in the world will keep you from getting gastroenteritis. washing your hands might help, though.

remember: flu = lungs, nose, throat. if your stomach is involved, don't blame your flu shot.