Item

Description

Call Number

HII0122

Type of Material

*Video    'Pamphlet   'Data sheet   'Article   'Audio tape

'Model   'Statistics    'Book           'Poster    'Other:______

Title

Cold & Flu IQ

Author

To Your Health

Publisher

Video Services at LSU Health Sciences Center

Year of Publication

2003

Target Audience

General public

Suggested Setting

Internet radio broadcast

Length/Size (minute/page)

2 minutes 5 seconds

Information on the Web (if applicable)

http://www.sh.lsuhsc.edu/infotech/THY/

Downloadable at

http://www.sh.lsuhsc.edu/infotech/THY/TYH_Cold_Flu_2.rm

Order Information

N/A

Cost (USD)

Free online

Information updated

November 4, 2008

Reviewer

Samantha Fasano

Abstract

Every year when cold and flu season approaches, many individuals have common cold and flu questions and concerns. In this brief video broadcast, Keith Payne, M.D. Professor of Medicine at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in Shreveport, guides the audience in a short verbal quiz regarding their knowledge of cold and flu facts in order to better help them prepare for the upcoming cold and flu season. Dr. Keith Payne separates factual information from commonly believed medical myths. For example, questions such as: “Can antibiotics cure colds?”, “Can chicken soup cure a cold?” and “Can flu shots cause the flu?” are answered in a very concise manner. This video broadcast informs the audience that antibiotics cannot cure colds because the vast majority of colds are due to viruses, and viruses are resistant to antibiotics. Furthermore, the doctor notes that the generational belief that chicken soup can cure a cold is partially true. While chicken soup cannot cure a cold, it can definitely help the patient feel better by loosing secretion. The question of whether or not flu shots cause the flu, is also addressed in this segment. The host briefly explains that a portion of the flu shots are made of the virus, and some negative reactions may result after having received the shot, however the flu shot does not cause the flu. 

Critical Comments

Content. The content is ideal for the average person concerned about medical questions, as it covers material that is applicable to everyday life.

Interest. Due to the nature of the information, it is difficult to stimulate interest in this subject matter. However, the way in which the author used a question and answer format, it was very easy for the audience to feel involved and included in the presentation.

Depth. Though this was a very short segment, the author did a wonderful job of emphasizing main ideas that they intended for the audience to gain from this broadcast. The author provided an adequate amount of depth for the proposed information.

Organization. The organization of this piece was very impressive, in that it was set up in a question and answer session. The host made sure to keep the structure of the conversation consistent throughout the segment. It seemed as though the host of this program was well prepared before presenting this information to the public.