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h1n1 another point of view
I know there has been a load of conversation about vaccinations on this board and i thought i would throw out a different pov having just returned from my physical exam-my first question to my dr was about the two flu viruses and the different vaccines-hope that below does not stir up a controversary of replies-this was just meant as a differing viewpoint
For H1N1 she told me that this is a virus that has been around since the 70s and is highly mutated-there was a vaccine in the 70s and it was pulled off the market after there was a rise in Guillain Barre Syndrom-a neurological disorder-now 30 some years later a similar vaccine is being marketed that has had very limited testing-her words exactly i would never even consider exposing myself of my family to that and she went on she just received a letter from the LA County Health Dept that has been sent to all drs to be on the look out for this syndrome.
For the Flu Shot-her comment was basically each year the scientists go out to asia and take all different sorts of samples of the flu and then make a guess as to which one to use in the vaccine and essentially there is no guarantee that you will be protected even if you take the shot.
When I asked her about preventitive measures she said the two known things that have also been approved by the FDA are large doses of vitamin c and maximum dose of vitamin d. And should i get sick or feel run down I can come in for a vitamin c drip (will most likely do this anyway in the next few weeks) So Vitamin D has now been added to the vitamin regimen. Last but not least-pro biotics-one's immune system is centered in the gut and the probiotics are necessary to ensure a healthy and functional digestive system. It was interesting as I heard a medical specialist on CNN state that every child should be taking pro biotics .
So just thought i would share this info and wishing everyone happy healthy fall
Re: h1n1 another point of view
I think those preventative measures your doctor mentioned are really worth knowing. Sometimes we forget how much our daily diet and health habits affect our overall well-being, even during flu season.
A friend recently passed along an interesting article from FactCheck,org, a project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center. It discusses some claims and misinformation related to the H1N1 vaccine. Here it is:
http://tinyurl.com/yl7k3jh
There is so much information out there, it can definitely be overwhelming. It's also hard to know what exactly to believe, since sources we individually "trust" might often provide conflicting info. Oh well, good luck to us all!
I think there is alot of fear around the flu too. For me, I've never gotten a flu shot, haven't really gotten the flu for a few years, don't get sick that often and am not overly worried about getting sick. If I get the flu, I get the flu. But...since becoming a mom, if there is any little thing I can do to keep Ella from getting sick, even if it's spinning on my head while playing Barry Manilow songs on the banjo, I'd probably do it. I'm a sucker like that
Cerclage placed @ 21w6d due to CI (IC)
I know that there's still a lot of controversy out there regarding the h1n1 vaccine. It was around in the 70s, so most of the older ppl that work in our hospital did NOT receive the vaccination.
That being said, after seeing the effects that h1n1 was having on the patients that we were caring for, I thought that the benefit of having the vaccine outweighed the risk for possible side effects. The questionnaire that they make you fill out does ask if you have guillian-barre's or not. I'm assuming that it was one of the SEs in the past, so they are keeping an eye out for that.
It's all just scary. I know that there's been many other scares in the past (ie: avian flu, just to name one) but this is the only one that i've seen firsthand how detrimental it can actually be. These are most likely the sickest patients that I have ever taken care of. I think that its everyone's own choice on whether to get vaccinated or not--but I just wanted to share my POV with my PP the other day.
But like you said----be careful. Wash your hands. Sneeze in your arm sleeve. Stay home if you feel sick! Esp. for the prego mommies-to-be out there.
Happy and healthy Thursday to everyone!
thanks alix! that is good info to know. i also never had flu shots ever and have not gotten sick (knock on wood). i hope having lived in the Philippines had me immune to all the germs and bacteria
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taking my vitamin D now...
Alix,
I am very happy to hear your dr's (and your) pov. I have been on the fence too - trying to decide what fear to I give into - the fear of catching swine flu & dying or the fear of getting the vaccine & having serious side effects. I 100% agree that vaccines are important but I am concerned about side effects.
Yesterday I watched the Dr. Oz show & I thought he made a really good point. He said alot of people are suspect about the H1N1 vaccine b/c the media and govt are pushing it so hard, but it is the same thing as a Category 5 storm is coming your way, it may turn, but it may hit. If no storm hits, great, but if it doesn't & nobody told you, you are going to be pretty unhappy. We are all adults & we can make these decisions for ourselves.
For at least the meantime, I will continue to wash my hands like its going out of style & I am stopping at the grocery on the way home to pick up some probiotic-rich yogurt!!
I am so glad you posted this...and that we have such a great board that you can post this and not stir up a bunch of drama... I like that we can have discussions about stuff like this and hear different points of view.
I asked MH about this and he said that just b/c the info is coming from a doctor doesn't necessarily mean it is accurate. he has heard about this "myth" as he calls it and the CDC has addressed the issue here: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/gbs_qa.htm
the CDC states: In most studies, no association was found, but two studies suggested that approximately 1 additional person out of 1 million vaccinated people may be at risk for GBS associated with the seasonal influenza vaccine.
for me the benefits outweigh the risks ....there was another nestie on the bump SAIF board who didn't get the vaccine b/c she was waiting to get over a cold. well turns out it wasn't the cold and it was H1N1...the virus sent her body into labor and she had to be hospitalized to stop the contractions...totally scary. Of course I am far along enough in my PG now that I don't need to worry about the baby coming at this point...but I am concerned about her weak and undeveloped immune system after she is born, so any protection I can afford her by getting the vaccine now I would like to give her.
Jaime & Brent
Oahu, Hawaii | Sept. 9, 2005
My Food Blog - Good Eats 'n Sweet Treats
I really like this article....thanks for sharing!