H1N1 Becomes Common Flu
When the first news of the Swine flu hit we were all told to be alarmed and ready for millions to die from it. We were given the impression of this great pandemic which most of us took to mean that we were all in deep danger from it. There was talk about quarantine and the government sending soldiers in to enforce it. We were given the impression if we caught it we’d probably die from it. So what happened?
As far as the experts can tell, H1N1 surprised us by replacing the regular seasonal flu. That doesn’t mean it’s not dangerous for some people, it just means that it hasn’t been as prevalent or deadly any more than the regular flu has been. To add to that the regular flu seems to be down some so that we aren’t noticing any more illness any worse than a regular flu season.
Doctors are still telling us to get the vaccination and it’s probably still a good idea to do so, however you can relax a little and continue on as you usually do during flu season.
If You Should Get Swine Flu
- If you’ve already gotten the seasonal flu it will not protect you from the swine flu. You should get both flu vaccines.
- Don’t leave your house unless you are going to the doctor or hospital if you have the flu
- Since viruses can live on surfaces don’t forget to disinfect if someone in your home gets sick, laundry should be done on the hotest settings possible
- Don’t have swine flu parties, or even attend swine flu parties
- Remember to try to avoid the flu by frequent hand washing, face masks may be of little use so don’t depend on them
- Go to the ER if you have trouble breathing or if your skin turns color
The other best advice is not to panic. Determine if you are in a high risk group and discuss this with your doctor.
Santas Lobby For Vaccine
This is something I did not know. As the experts are urging the public to get the swine flu vaccine, there is only enough now to go around to special groups like health care workers and first responders. I also would not have thought about all the thousands of mall Santas that will be handling small children by the hundreds till Christmas.
Of course, sick children should be kept home, but you know there will be those parents who will not use their better judgement over the whining of their kid.
H1N1 Vaccine
My little one-year-old grandson just got his swine flu vaccine a couple days ago. He also got two other of his vaccines. He’s always done well on his shots, meaning no side effects or anything. However the doctor told my daughter that he would get a fever. It’s been a couple days and he’s been fine so far, thank God!
What concerns me now is that I caught a blurb on the news while surfing that these two doctors are saying that the vaccine can cause a series of tia’s, which are mini strokes. They said something about the vaccine interrupting blood flow in the brain. I haven’t told my daughter because I don’t want to worry her till I can get more information and verify that this is a real concern. I’ll keep you posted.
Your Children and the Swine Flu Vaccine
Many parents have not decided yet if they will have their children get the swine flu vaccine, and among the parents who have decided, many have decided not to.
The experts say that during a regular flu season most of the people who die from it are the elderly and people who are sick already. However during this season of swine flu it’s expected that just as many healthy young people could be at risk of death from it. This is why the government is trying to convince parents to have their children get the vaccine.
So far it’s a choice left up to parents. We’ll see what happens during the next couple months when more people are expected to get the swine flu.
My advice is to do your research, learn as much as you can, and consult your doctor and your kids pediatrician. Good luck.
Remember the Swine Flu Outbreak in 1976?
In 1976 the swine flu made an appearance and we all got ready for a deadly pandemic, which never happened.
A swine flu shot was available and either the drug company or the goverment scared everyone into getting this shot to prevent the flu. The problem was, that this shot had very serious side effects for certain members of our population.
My mother always had health issues, so she did not get the shot as it would have been dangerous for her to do so. My father and I were healthy so we did get the shot and fortunately we did not suffer any side effects.
If a shot now becomes available weight all your options before getting it, so you can make the best health decision for yourself.
As for me I can only tell you what happened to me personally. Every year it seemed till I was 18 I caught the flu. What strain? Who knows, since the flu virus is ever changing I expect it was different every year. After I got the flu shot for swine flu in 1976, I’ve only had the flu once since then. I’m sure there were many other factors to explain this, I’m only telling you my personal experience.
Gardasil, Safe Or Not?
The makers of Gardasil have been pushing this product heavily since it hit the market a couple years ago. Gardasil is the vaccine that we are supposed to be giving our daughters as young as age 9, to prevent the virus that causes one type of cervix cancer. We’ve all seen the commercials drumming the term “one less” into our heads. Now, reports are coming out that say over 8000 girls have developed serious side effects. These include warts, rashes, seizures, and paralysis, some of which are permanent.
I have had serious misgivings about this vaccine since it came out. It only prevents one type of cancer as I understand it and I wondered why the heavy push to give it to young girls and not older women. I did not encourage my daughter to get it as I felt a new drug needs some time in use before we can know fully whether it’s safe or not.
The drug company Merck of course, says it’s safe and effective and that the side effects are minimal. You have to understand that the few thousand who are really hurt by the product, to the drug company, are so small a number that they are almost considered just to be acceptable damage. The thing is that even if it only harms one in a billion, who wants to be that one?