Flu shots
oceaninmyeyes
Posts: 4,646
post-gazette.com/news/health/2014/01/16/H1N1-flu-striking-young-adults-the-most/stories/201401160198\
http://sacbee.com/2014/01/17/6081098/flu-takes-45-lives-so-far-in-california.html
http://cbsnews.com/news/flu-season-child-death-toll-doubles-cdc/
I know some of you are adamantly opposed to flu shots. I heard it all this past week when I was at a funeral for my brother-in-law who died of H1N1 influenza. He was a middle-aged, and other than high blood pressure, a healthy man. He worked a full-time sales job (lots of hand-shaking) and raised cattle besides. A hard-core cowboy. He didn't smoke. He didn't have a reason to develop Acute Respiratory Distress syndrome, except that he came into contact with a virus that can be deadly, and hits younger people much harder than other flu viruses. he went to the doctor and was given medicine. New Year's eve, he felt worse and went to the ER. He was put on a ventilator, and almost 2 weeks later he died from organ failure.
H1N1 killed 200,000 people worldwide in 2009. And it is rearing its ugly head again this year. I heard this evening from a friend who knew a 38 y.o. man who got sick while I was gone to my b-i-l's funeral, and went to the doctor right away and got medication. He took the meds, and went to bed. And then he never woke up. Two weeks ago, I read about a 37 y.o. and a 41 y.o. healthy women who died, one of whom was pregnant.
The third article above shows a map of flu activity by state. Flu shots are still available. It takes 10-14 days to develop immunity. I just wanted you to know, because I don't want this to happen to any of you or anyone you love.
http://sacbee.com/2014/01/17/6081098/flu-takes-45-lives-so-far-in-california.html
http://cbsnews.com/news/flu-season-child-death-toll-doubles-cdc/
I know some of you are adamantly opposed to flu shots. I heard it all this past week when I was at a funeral for my brother-in-law who died of H1N1 influenza. He was a middle-aged, and other than high blood pressure, a healthy man. He worked a full-time sales job (lots of hand-shaking) and raised cattle besides. A hard-core cowboy. He didn't smoke. He didn't have a reason to develop Acute Respiratory Distress syndrome, except that he came into contact with a virus that can be deadly, and hits younger people much harder than other flu viruses. he went to the doctor and was given medicine. New Year's eve, he felt worse and went to the ER. He was put on a ventilator, and almost 2 weeks later he died from organ failure.
H1N1 killed 200,000 people worldwide in 2009. And it is rearing its ugly head again this year. I heard this evening from a friend who knew a 38 y.o. man who got sick while I was gone to my b-i-l's funeral, and went to the doctor right away and got medication. He took the meds, and went to bed. And then he never woke up. Two weeks ago, I read about a 37 y.o. and a 41 y.o. healthy women who died, one of whom was pregnant.
The third article above shows a map of flu activity by state. Flu shots are still available. It takes 10-14 days to develop immunity. I just wanted you to know, because I don't want this to happen to any of you or anyone you love.
And the sun it may be shining . . . but there's an ocean in my eyes
0
Comments
As far as the shot it's a crapshoot. Most of the time by the time the shot is available the flu strains have mutated and the shot is useless. We had a pretty lengthy discussion not too long ago on this topic, and I'm not getting into all of that again. My personal choice is that I do not get them.
Again, sorry for your family's loss.
I'm truly sorry about your brother-in-law.
I work in a nursing home, so it is a no brainer that the health of the residents is utmost importance as they have slower immune systems. I got mine because the people I care for are just as important as I am, in my opinion. I certainly would never think twice about thinking of myself when working in a caring profession. But there are some staff who must walk around with a mask because they simply won't get the flu shot. It tells you who these people are thinking about. (themselves only) And I've seen a nurse take hers off because she "doesn't like it". The hell is this woman in nursing for? Herself?
Oceaninmyeyes, my condolences to you. Thanks for spreading the good word. I'm sorry for your loss.
Sadly, many people will only act when it hits close to home.
"Well, you tell him that I don't talk to suckas."
I admit it - I am selfish. Neither heartless nor lacking compassion, but yeah.
In this and many other senses...my life IS about me. About my husband. Us.
First and foremost.
i don't care if nonhealthcare workers don't get the vaccine. that is their choice. they should get it to protect everybody else, but if they don't and they get the flu it is on them, nobody else.
"Well, you tell him that I don't talk to suckas."
However, I stand by my last sentence: Sadly, many people will only act when it hits close to home. When a loved one falls very sick, it kinda changes your mind on the entire issue. You think of yourself, when something happens to your husband? You may feel differently.
A lot HAS happened to my husband (swine flu included a few years ago - I got hit with it the day he was released from the hospital for it). Of course we put our selves aside as we could, and took care of each other.
I imagine most of us would answer similarly, if in the same position.
When you say "act when it hits close to home"...what specific action do you mean?
My question is, are those of you supporting the widespread use of flu shots using herd immunity as the basis for your reasoning? Because my understanding is that actual herd immunity applies to people who develop a natural immunity to disease based on actually contracting that disease. Vaccinations are supposed to mimic this immunity but fail in the long term because vaccinations are a short term solution.
Personally, I won't get a flu shot again because of the long list of questionable ingredients used to make me 'safe'. I have had very good luck with all natural methods of care; elderberry syrup is especially effective at stopping the flu in its tracks. It would be an interesting analysis if science would actually conduct statistical studies that compare holistic health care with the mainstream allopathic care methods to see a side by side comparison.
Seems my preconceptions are what should have been burned...
I AM MINE
I'm going to remember your elderberry syrup comment as well - hadn't heard of that either!
I take a preventative dose of elderberry every day during flu season and so far so good which is saying something since I'm surrounded by students all day! It is super easy to make (just in case you can't find any for sale around you, here is a link for a recipe) and tastes pretty good too!
wellnessmama.com/1888/how-to-make-elderberry-syrup-for-flu-prevention/
As far as the effectiveness of of the flu shot, I think that is debatable. Even the CDC (who I freely admit that I detest with a passion) states that effectiveness is dependent on multiple factors, such as health, age, and the particular strain of flu that scientists "guess" will be most prevalent in any given year. Optimum health is a far greater preventative measure against illness that a manufactured vaccine. The most amazing thing about this country though is that we all get to do our own research and make our own decisions about what is best for us!
Seems my preconceptions are what should have been burned...
I AM MINE
I got the shot a few weeks ago. I'll update you on how it goes.
You can spend your time alone, redigesting past regrets, oh
or you can come to terms and realize
you're the only one who can't forgive yourself, oh
makes much more sense to live in the present tense - Present Tense
SHAME ON YOU for being around students and not caring enough about their health to get a friggin flu shot. Where is that faceplant smilie?
I would hope you have to wear a mask when the flu breaks out in your school.
But you'll never change people's minds who don't care how many states and how many people are affected and are dying from the flu. It just doesn't bother some people. But it should.
And I still get sick on occasion as well. Elderberry is not a cure all just as the flu shot does not prevent everyone from getting sick. Why in the world would you assume that I don't care about my students just because I refuse to blindly follow the recommendations of the CDC? I prefer, as I stated before, to do my own research and make up my own mind about what is right for ME. Many of our governmental agencies make questionable judgments in regards to our safety and protection especially if they are following recommendations based on studies that only profit pharmaceutical companies. Have you done any research as to the effectiveness of the flu shot or do you blindly accept what you are told? Most vaccination mentality is based on herd immunity protocol which does NOT apply to immunity from a vaccine because it is a false immunity UNLIKE immunity you gain from actual illness. Not very cool of you to try to shame me - why not have a legitimate debate?
Seems my preconceptions are what should have been burned...
I AM MINE
Seems my preconceptions are what should have been burned...
I AM MINE
And the whole herd immunity? Are you kidding. Tell that to the parents of the kids who now have Whopping Cough due to all those other children not getting the vaccine for the past 10 years. The measles is another getting around after years of it being nowhere due to widespread vaccination. There is a REASON FOR VACCINES and it's not herd mentality!
But before you fire back with your reasons against vaccinations? I'm already done. I've been here, done this debate, and I'm not doing it again. All I ask is that you actually think about the kids you work with, THEIR HEALTH, and what you would do FOR THEM, if the flu got around your school. Because the flu shot is not about what we, personally, want to do to our bodies. It's about KEEPING OTHERS HEALTHY.
I won't argue the merits or problems with vaccinations but I would like to state that I am NOT in any way endangering my students (high school BTW) but maybe THEY (and really I should say their parents since I won't blame kids for what their parents have taught them) are endangering themselves. I have spent a great deal of time researching health issues related to the consumption of the standard American diet and the inherent problems that come with living as most American do in this country which equates to being ill a great deal of time. Vaccinations might help but, statistically, vaccinations don't help as often as they should because many who get vaccinations are in poor health - many without realizing it. Why are our kids so ill? Is it really because I don't get a flu shot? No, it is because my students eat donuts for breakfast followed by a 2 liter of coke and the crap they feed them in the cafeteria at lunch followed by McDonald's right after school and probably again for dinner. We are an unhealthy nation that sit on the couch and rely on vaccines and antibiotics and other magic pills to make it all better. So, I fully accept MY responsibility for eating a healthy diet full of un-processed food all made at home by me, sourced from local farmers who don't use pesticides nor GMO products, followed by water to drink, on most occasions, and a 2-4 mile run every day or walking if I can't run. I AM healthy and I DO care about everyone, that is usually the hallmark of teaching and teachers. Can you (or my students) say they do as much to care for themselves so I don't get sick?
Seems my preconceptions are what should have been burned...
I AM MINE
Again, I just hope that you wear that mask around the students when/if the flu infiltrates your school. My daughter's school closed down for a day from so many getting the flu last year. It wasn't due to the poor health of the students and staff. It was due to the flu getting around. Do it for the students.
Second, my comment about health is spot on if you understand that over 70% of our immune system is located in our guts. Therefore, if someone chooses to eat pesticide laden fruits and veggies or pink slime burgers from McDonald's or hormone and antibiotic laced beef from factory farmed animals then you start to see that our guts (our immune systems) are overrun with toxins. Our liver attempts to filter and remove these toxins but when we are continually bombarded from a multitude of sources (for example, air pollutants, water pollutants, etc) then it is completely overwhelmed and doesn't function at the rate we need it to. I understand and, in the past, completely agreed with flu vaccines as being beneficial, however, when we reduce our toxic load then we give our bodies a much stronger ability to build antibodies to ward off colds, the flu, and even autoimmune diseases. I agree with your assessment, diet will not completely protect us but it will help. Stress, mental, emotional, and physical, all lower our immunity and make it easier for us to contract illness and disease - why not do everything we can to improve our immune function rather than create a larger toxic load for our bodies? Esepcially if we are already susceptible to illness because of other underlying problems?
For instance, the ingredients that are standard in the flu vaccine contribute to our toxic load, check here: cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/downloads/appendices/B/excipient-table-2.pdf
There are multiple manufacturers of flu vaccines but just to list one vaccines ingredients: Influenza (Agriflu) egg proteins, formaldehyde, polysorbate 80, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, neomycin sulfate, kanamycin
Formaldehyde has been classified as a known human carcinogen (cancer causing substance). That ONE substance creates a heavy load for our bodies and FOR ME that negates the effectiveness of the flu vaccine because of the toxic load my body receives from that one substance (and I am completely discounting any other ingredients that may be problematic). I fully respect everyone here that feels that this vaccine or ANY vaccine is worthwhile to use, all I ask is for the same respect because I choose to fortify my immune system through a reduced toxic load, healthy food, and consistent exercise.
Here is a link to a quick article about your gut biome: sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/09/130916122214.htm
Seems my preconceptions are what should have been burned...
I AM MINE