Flu Shots - Park Ridge,IL

N.,

There are several things you have to keep in mind when making this decision. First, the flu you get the shot for is not the "stomach flu" or gastroenteritis (sp?) That, unfortunately, there is no prevention for other than hand washing. The kind of flu the vaccine is for is completely different and can include dangerously high fevers, dehydration, sore throat and severely swollen lymphnodes and glands and horrible upper respiritory effects as well.

The second thing you have to consider, are you or your children around anyone that is at high risk. Such as grandparents with COPD, emphysema, pulmonary hypertension, heart conditions etc. This vaccine can stop the spread of these strains of flu to those affected individuals.

It seems ove the past several years when the flu outbreaks have been so publicized there have been very few side effect from the flu shot. (mind you not saying there have been none. There is always going to be a percentage of the population that has some reaction.) The general opinion is that it is worth it, if not to keep you or your children from getting it, then to stop the spread to the populace.

My personal opinion, we get our flu shots becuase we do have friends who are affected with some of the afore mentioned ailments and we would not be able to be around them were we not to get the shot. I think it slows and decreases the spread of some of these horribly virulent strains.

It's kind of a tough question. From my (limited) understanding, the flu shot is created each year based upon the specific strain of influenza predicted to travel into the United States. These predicted influenza strains are thought to be some of the more "severe" ones that could be tough to recover from. However, the flu shot will NOT help you with all the viruses you catch...only those three (or so) for which it was created. You'll still end-up catching colds, other viruses going around and even strains of stomach flus.

It's difficult to say whether any of the viruses you and your family experienced were the ones that the flu shot targeted. Furthermore, the flu shot may not completely protect you from the impact of those targeted strains...but it may help you have much milder symptoms allowing you to recover in a significantly quicker timeframe.

Doctors say it is important for anyone with suppressed immune systems (the elderly, those with chronic medical conditions, etc) to have the extra "help" from the flu shot. My family gets a flu shot every year. We think of it as "insurance," in case we are exposed to those influenza strains.

EDIT: I just read the post from another Mom and wanted to respond: Today’s flu shots do not all contain mercury. Thimerosal (the type of mercury) preservative-free influenza vaccines are available. The CDC (Center for Disease Control) project that 50 million doses of the Thimerosal-free vaccine have been manufactured this year (for the '08-'09 flu season), and they estimate this amount is adequate to meet the Pediatric need. This is what my Pediatrician uses. Furthermore, the nasal-spray vaccine is now available for children as young as 2-3 years old.

I have heard that a possible reason for the "flu season" is because we get less sun and therefore get less vitamin D. A vitamin D supplement may be a better alternative to the flu shot. Here is something about this that was written on another forum I've been on:

"Influenza does not follow the predicted patterns for infectious diseases. In fact, there are several conundrums associated with influenza epidemics, such as:

1. Why is influenza both seasonal and ubiquitous -- and where is the virus between epidemics?

2. Why are influenza epidemics so explosive?

3. Why do epidemics end so abruptly?

4. What explains the frequent coincidental timing of epidemics in countries of similar latitudes?

5. Why did epidemics in previous ages spread so rapidly, despite the lack of modern transport?

A theory gaining weight in the scientific community explains influenza epidemics as a result of a dormant disease, which become active in response to vitamin D deficiency. This theory provides answers for many of the above questions. A disease that remains dormant until vitamin D-producing sunlight exposure is reduced by a winter or rainy season would explain a widespread seasonal disease with a rapid onset and decline.

There is compelling epidemiological evidence that indicates vitamin D deficiency is just such a "seasonal stimulus." Recent evidence confirms that lower respiratory tract infections are more frequent, sometimes dramatically so, in those with low levels of vitamin D. Researchers have also found that 2,000 IU of vitamin D per day abolished the seasonality of influenza, and dramatically reduced its self-reported incidence."

~~I think it is possible to get too much vitamin D also. If you chose to take a vitamin D supplement, I'd be careful how much you can take and find out how much is okay for your children. Probiotics are great for immunity too.

They already figured out they got one of the viruses wrong for this flu season...so it is only about 10% effective, but the medical community will not tell you that info. There was a small blurb on it on NBC5 News about a month ago about it...but "they are still encouraging people to get the flu shot" yes, insurance for those with suppressed immune systems like HIV folks, for those with healthy immune systems, you can add probiotics to your daily regimen for adults and children. (I give some to my 16m old) Cod Liver Oil or Fish Oil for extra Vitamin D (which many of us are lacking and need due to restricted sunlight) Carlon Kids or Nordic Naturals are in liquid form and can add to milk, juice etc. Also a good multi vitamin ChildLife is a great liquid brand too.

They are tons of great and natural things you can do to ease cold and flu symptoms through nutrition, supplements and good old fashioned bath remedies. Oh don't forget essential oils.

Yes, all flu shots still contain mercury.

More of a convenient vaccine if you ask me, but you have to make the best decision for your family.

Be Well!
J. W. MPH, ACE-CPT
Wellness Educator/Lifestyle and Wellness Consultant

Hey Stranger-

How are you? I'm glad to see that you are still able to be a SAHM. Time flies when you are having fun, doesn't it. It's hard to believe that I have been home so long now. Anyway, drop me a line sometime.

As for your question. I do not believe in the flu shot. Call it luck or whatever but I have not gotten the flu and every time my husband gets the shot, he gets sick with it. Both myself and my kids are at high risk for getting the flu due to heart conditions but I still feel safer not getting it. Further, my daughter is allergic to eggs. Not sure if you guys suffer from this but the flu shot has eggs in it. At the end of the day, its a personal decision and I have chosen for myself and my kids that we will not do it and so far, so good. Knock on wood, right? :)

Hope all is well. Take care.
N.

N.-I work with a vast amount of all different kinds of doctors from gps, ob/gyns, peds and Nmd's to dcs. ALL flu shots still contain thermisol. It is the one vaccine where it is still prevalent. There is not such thing as a preservative free vaccine. It does not exist. Most doctors do not know what the ingredients are in a vaccine as we as citizens do not either. Feel free to look it up. By law it has to list the ingredients from the animal and human fetal tissue to gasoline cutting agents to aluminum-just to name a few.

Fish oils, probiotics and vitamind3 are the best way to ward off the flu.

www.holisticmomsnetwork.org
www.homefirst.com
www.vaclib.org
www.hpakids.org

and you can check out a really good blog for many more websites.

www.originalgranolagirl.com

T.
Detox coach

They did not just miss the mark--there are over 200 different flu strains. The vaccine only contains 4. So the math is obvious. The immune system is a wonderful working part of the human bosy and with a few simple supplements that works better than anything out there.

Check out some of the websites for your own info.

I just got the flu shot end of October. I am pushing my husband to get it as well. He was sick last year for 4 days and his body hurt so bad. My little one got the shot early October as well. I am making appt for my other kids. they have not had the shot in many years but with the way things are going and developing, I would prefer they had it. I do know people that have gotten sick after having tyhe shot, just the way their bodies reacted. One friend never got sick then got really sick the year before last. Last year she wouldn't get the shot and her son had the flu. He ended up dehydrated. Maybe this year you will not have a reaction. This shot is supposed to cover more strains of the virus.