To the Editor: I have read every issue of the Journal since graduating in 1953. In my opinion, one of the best articles I’ve seen is Dawn DeWitt’s story, “I went to work with a ‘cold’ ...”.1 Dr DeWitt’s dilemma mirrors that of the average doctor precisely. Her “solution” gives us a good dose of commonsense that we seldom hear.

In my time as a general practitioner, I have given thousands of doses of influenza vaccine; but I have never had the flu or pneumonia shot myself (nor has my wife — a registered nurse). I took 2 weeks off duty in 1971 with a “cold”, when I simply flaked out on the floor. A corneal transplant and transurethral resection of the prostate were done while “on vacation”.

Luckily, I no longer have the dilemma of whether or not to go to work when I am sicker than my patients, but I will have the flu shot this week anyway. Thanks Dawn.