My Thoughts on H1N1
This is the same message I posted on Facebook...
Hi All,
Thank you so much for your enthusiastic response to my Facebook status yesterday. It was a lively discussion and I learned a lot from all of you.
Here's my opinion on the situation:
There is a paranoia in the air regarding the H1N1 virus. I felt it myself when I learned that a 13 year old boy apparently died of the virus near where I live. It’s easy to get upset and confused about this impending epidemic. But it is also easy to become afraid of the vaccination itself since it has been developed in a hurry and there are still questions about it. There are two sides to the story, as always. The best we can do is to be well read and accept responsibility for our own health as a result. I am no doctor so I will never tell you what to do. I will suggest however that you check out all government and disease control websites to gather as much information as you can.
In the end, regardless of whether or not your choose to vaccinate, common sense is to bolster your own immune system by not mistreating it. Take simple precautions including getting enough rest, eating plenty of nutrient dense foods, washing your hands, sneezing into a tissue or sleeve (I think that is gross, but what can you do!?) and getting exercise. Also, stay away from people who are sick and if you are sick stay away from others. Prevention is still a reliable approach.
Stay healthy everyone!
Tosca
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16 comments:
Well said Tosca. I'm on the fence, myself. I think our bodies are meant to build immunity to diseases. The "clean" world we live in as far as disinfectants, hand sanitizers, room deodorizers and the 1000's of other chemicals to keep us "clean", our bodies don't have time to build immunity.
I totally agree. It is our right and responsibility to gather all information and then do what you feel is right for your family and yourself. I myself choose not to receive the shot because of the healthy lifestyle I live.
Hi Tosca. Thanks for your comments, however you didn't indicate if you were getting the shot yourself. I know you need to be careful about that because of the influence you have on people, but for all of us who responded to your request for info and indicated whether or not we were getting the shot, I think it only fair that you do the same and indicate what you are going to do clearly stating that this is just your personal decision not meant as advice to anyone else.
Mary F.
I have recieved a great deal of flak here at work for not getting the yearly flu shot. Knock wood, I have not had the flu that I can ever remember. In fact, I notice that a great deal of people who get the flu shot, excepting high risk candidates, seem to use it as a safety net and an excuse to come in sick and abuse their immune systems. These people are also usually sick several times a year with colds, strep, etc. I have been taking my coconut butter (thank you, Tosca) extra vitamins and being extremely sanitary to the point of obsession. I don't even touch the coffee pot here at work. If I get the flu, I will just have the flu, but you have to remember that any illness can lay you low if you don't protect your health and take responsiblity for it.
Hi Tosca~
Speaking of exercise. What about the gyms? Most people who go to a co-ed gym and work out in the heavy weight room don't generally clean benches, dumbels, barbells, leg press, peck deck etc. after use. The gym itself will sanitze regualarly but what do you do while you are working out? Stopping to clean between supper sets or whatever your routine is may not be so practical? Any suggestions Tosca or anyone !?
I was on the fence about receiving a flu shot and the H1N1 vaccine. I take very good care of my body by eating clean, exercising, and not abusing my body. I work at a hospital as a nurse and have seen first hand how many previously healthy patients are being admitted with H1N1. I am in my late 20's and what was scary to me was seeing several 20-somethings and 30-somethings going to the intensive care unit due to extreme complications. Being that I am surrounded by so many sick individuals I did my research and decided to go ahead and get the H1N1 vaccine. I am married and have a child, so I guess I want to protect myself as much as I can.
Stephanie-I think you are absolutley correct to get the shot; you are in a high risk field and have a family to think of. Have you noticed that people coming in with severe H1N1 getting it despite a flu shot of any type? I was just wondering how much protection the shot actually is.
Hi there - but what about the adjuvent that is the flu shot. Apparently it is supposed to boost your immune system. But this ingredient is causing a lot of buzz. And they will not be including this ingredient for the vaccine given to pregnant women - why? Why would they not give that ingredient to pregnant women while giving it to the rest of the population. I realize that pregnant women are at a higher risk as well as their unborn child, but why not give the vaccine without the adjuvent for everyone? I am so confused as to whether I should get the vaccine as well as giving it to my 3 and 6 yr olds. Any thoughts?
I believe that one vaccine contains live virus, the inhaled type, and is being given to children. The one given to preganant women is not a live virus. Stephanie, or another health professional, can advise better. I think right now they are aiming it to high risk individuals and youngsters that seem to be the hardest hit demographic. But, I am also hearing that people such as you that are responsible for a child should also be vaccinated. They trick is finding the vaccine.
I believe that one vaccine contains live virus, the inhaled type, and is being given to children. The one given to preganant women is not a live virus. Stephanie, or another health professional, can advise better. I think right now they are aiming it to high risk individuals and youngsters that seem to be the hardest hit demographic. But, I am also hearing that people such as you that are responsible for a child should also be vaccinated. They trick is finding the vaccine.
Hi - I am the person speaking about the adjuvent. I am in Canada and I don't think that we get the mist here. So, we are getting the "dead" virus that still contains the adjuvent. That is what I am concerned about. Very concerning and frustrating. Tosca, would you happen to have any input on the adjuvent? Thanks!
People are generally underestimating the impact that this disease is going to have on us. This is a natural response being that we have not been through this kind of thing before. This is the largest pandemic since the 1920s and people back then did not travel. That is why their is so much panic surrounding it. The reality is people don't believe it is going to happen to them. Cases of H1N1 diagnosed as minor have people off work for 2-3 weeks at a minimum. Can you afford to be off work for that amount of time? How about if your kids come down with it? Will your workplace be understanding and pay you for that time off as well? I understand that some people have chosen not to vaccinate their kids for what would be considered "routine" vaccines but if you have vaccinated your kids for everything else then this should be no different. There are always risks in medicine, that is why you sign a consent. But you have to ask yourself, especially when thinking about your kids...if anything happened and somehow I could have prevented it, I would not be able to live with myself.
These are just a few thoughts and are in no way judging of anyones decision to vaccinate or not. It is easy to be confused by all the information/misinformation out there. The problem is that there isn't a lot of information and the WHO is just trying to offer the best protection possible.
My son and I both have come down with H1N1 here in Oregon. We both have celiac disease as well. I now have pneumonia and have had this for two weeks...but I think with my son and I, we are so careful in what we eat we aren't as bad as half the people we know who have this. And just think, we now CAN'T get the H1N1 shot!! Keep eating clean and living every day like it's your last!!!
For those asking about the "live" virus vaccine...the "live" virus is intended for those who have a stronger immune system. The live virus vaccine is suppose to be more effective in preventing the spread of swine flu due to the idea of "community immunity". If one person gets the live vaccine and comes in contact with one who didn't receive the vaccine they can somewhat gain immunity. The downfall to the live virus is it involves a litte more risk because it can mutate back to the disease causing state. Whether a person gets the vaccine or not we all need to practice good infection control by washing our hands and taking the proper precautions.
The H1N1 "nasal" spray is not being administered to children 17 and under,adults over 49, pregnant women, immune compromised, diabetics, etc. the list is long. Their only option is to have the H1N1 shot. I have had both the flu and H1N1 vacinations because I work in a critical health unit. My 7 yr. has as well because it was given by his school. I only hope that the H1N1 becomes available for my 5 yr. old. It is our responsibilty to do our part to reduce the mutation of H1N1; if in fact the vacine is available to us. The virus becaomes stronger as it mutates. Remember in all reality you are fearful of getting H1N1, because you expect those in healthcare to vacinate themselves so they can 1. take care of you, and 2. not pass the virus onto you or your family.
For the person that said the nasal spray is not being administered to children 17 and under....is that in Canada??? I live in the US and my daughter's pediatrician is giving them
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