When It Comes to Flu Shots, Give Me the Flu Instead
Swine flu may come, even if you wash your hands and use good judgment. But with the stated H1N1 vaccine risks, will you be getting the shot? (Photo: flickr.com)
Flu season is fast approaching, and many people are concerned about whether H1N1 – more commonly known as the “swine flu” – will devastate entire communities. When cooler heads prevail, however, it’s easy to see that H1N1 isn’t all that different from any other flu in any other year.
If you aren’t an infant, elderly or suffering from a serious health ailment that would make contracting the flu a danger (this is the biggest thing, truly), there isn’t much to worry about.
Wash your hands regularly, use a surgical mask if you’re sick and have to go out in public and deal with H1N1 the way you would any normal flu. Take in nutrients, get rest and try not to expose others.
It’s common sense, the same way same day loans can float a budget in the short term during an emergency.
There Are H1N1 Vaccine Risks, Anyway
Some people will opt for the H1N1 vaccine, whether it is because they are at risk or that they think flu shots are essential. However, there are medical experts that have stated their concerns over H1N1 vaccine risks. This leaves people in the position of having to decide whether the vaccine is worth the risk or worse than simply contracting the flu and letting normal immune systems deal with the invader.
According to the Center For Disease Control, high risk individuals are children under 2; those over 65; pregnant ladies; people with chronic asthma, diabetes or HIV; and children younger than 19 who are involved in aspirin therapy. For these groups, the shot may be worth it. There are even locations that will deliver it for free or at a discounted rate, depending upon a patient’s financial situation.
But What About GBC Risk?
Also known as Guillain-Barré syndrome, it is an autoimmune disorder that can lead to death. However, Dr. Jennifer Ashton estimates that this risk is “only 1 in a million vaccines.”
However, since I’m not in an “at risk” group, I’ll take the flu instead. Since I have young children, I have more to consider. Yet it is my belief – based upon my understanding of the evidence – that H1N1 vaccine risks are just another sign that the more you look for loopholes, the more you’ll find.
I am not concerned about my children dying due to swine flu. Common sense treatment and doctors (if necessary) are all they’ll likely need if the swine flu comes to call. If I need financial backup, I’ll consider same day loans.
lol you all are lucky to even have a choice. being n the military, and in iraq at the moment, we’re required to get it, no questions asked..what’s ironic is before getting it, i turn in life insurance paperwork..on the same day. i swear, the goverment makes us the ultimate giunea pig :-/
I am taking my grandaughter on Wednesday for her H1N1.
I firmly believe in vaccinations and have always had my own children vaccinated. My daughter is opting the same.
The risks from the H1N1 flu far outweight the risks of the immuzation itself.
All anyone has to do is look at the statistics of illness and death of children that live in Amish communities or children that are raised by religious extremists that forbid immunizations.
The good news is that the outbreak of the H1N1 have recently leveled, which means that many people have gottent the vaccination and are doing whatever they can to prevent the spread of the disease.
Common sense. If you are sick-stay home. Wash hands frequently. Cover your sneeze or cough with the crook of your arm…Lysol the home. Good luck
take those same statistics and tell me how many Amish kids have autism…the ones that do were given vaccines.
For all you people saying it’s okay because it’s approved by the FDA, so are cheetoes and beer, it doesn’t automatically mean it’s good for you.
Amen Isabella!!
I have a 5 year old neice who had ecoli when she was three she had to have a blood transfusion and she needed a mri of her brain but they said she couldnt get it because it could kill her, im afraid if she gets the vaccine she might get Guillian Barre Syndrome, i dont know wether to let her get the vaccine or not
For the Moms who have decided to not vaccinate, did you decide against the initial vaccine’s for your newborn (6 mo, 12 mo, 18 mo shots)? Or have you strictly opted out for the H1N1 vaccine.
i have a 9 mth old daughter do you think she should get the vaccinie???
I just opted out of the H1N1 but ensured my kids got their required vaccines when they were babies. This is the flu, we’ve been through many types of flu before. If it’s unecessary to use pharmaceuticals, then don’t. Humans were made to fight infection and virus and doing so improves your immune system. Vaccines that are given to a child during the first year of life are necessary and have been around for a very long time. H1N1 vaccines have already had many troubles (expiring, ineffective, etc..) Why would I trust a vaccine that was made very quickly without seeing the longer term affects first? Afterall, my family is the most important thing I have, I chose the flu over the unknown.
The H1N1 vaccine just became available at my 19 month olds pediatrician office. I made an app. for him. My husband and I are concerned as well about negative side effects and the fact that the vaccine is making it’s debut. My husband is mostly concerned that the vaccines are made overseas in places like China and the fact that our government is forcing the vaccine on children of parents who aren’t willing to let their child have it. I don’t trust our government one bit, I don’t believe they have our best interest in mind, but on the other hand I worry constantly about my under 2 year old son and what will happen if/when he gets H1N1. I think we are going ahead.
Please do your research. fda.gov and cdc.gov give you the most accurate and up to date information on the h1n1 virus as well as the vaccine and it’s potential side effects. And yes, the vaccine was approved by the FDA or it would not have been distributed. DO YOUR RESEARCH intelligently! Use reliable sources with information from people in the medical community.
I am 27 I have 3 kids 6, 4 & 2 years old. I will not be vaccinating them or myself. I agree that it hasn’t been tested enough and do not want my children to be exposed to something that I do not fully know the outcome of.
AMEN!
I am 28 with a 7yr old and a 9 month old and I am not getting this shot live or otherwise for any of us. I don’t care what anyone says this was rushed too fast just to put the public at ease after the media and such blew it up!!! As long as you are cautious and worry about protecting yourself you will be ok. I think that is one think people do not realize you have to protect yourself not the Dr’s. How many public restrooms and other things such as MONEY and doorknobs do you touch everyday that are dirty…how many times are you washing your hands!
I am a young mom with a 20month old and we are not getting the vaccine. I have been afraid of my son coming into contact with germs since he was born, so my O.C.D comes in handy there. Knowing it hasn’t been tested long enough to actually know what the long term effects can be, really worries me. I’m not going to have my son injected and have it be my fault that he has to live with some disability or condition because the vaccine wasn’t fully tested.
I’d rather wait and have them do the studies 100%, than get him vaccinated and have a horrible reaction.
I just read an article that says the H1N1 vaccine hasn’t been tested at all. There is no FDA approval, the FDA hasn’t even approved clinical trials.
Just to let u know most of the vaccines we have in the usa are not FDA approved. everyone needs to do there research. This may help.
Really? Most vaccines aren’t approved by the FDA – which vaccines are you referring to? Where are you doing your research?
Also, regarding the H1N1 vaccine, according to the FDA website the vaccine IS approved & this was posted September 16, 2009 (http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm182624.htm) Clinical trials have been underway.
i m sorry to tell u this patti but there is not relation between people traveling to mexico and the h1n1 flu!!! not sure if u have read enough about it but that flu is not a mexican virus!!! i can say instead, it is a manupulated virus!
All of you commenting of my ignorance with Mexico are not understanding where I am coming from. I have been to Mexico many times, its a sh*t hole actually. Anywho, many of the mexicans here, illegal at that, have no health insurance and go there where their families are not healthy also. There have been 6 mexicans die in our county alone…all illegal parents. Ive done more research than you know. Why not wake up and see specifics.
Also, the risks WITH the vaccine FAR OUTWEIGH the actual H1N1 virus, do some research LOL. More people die from the normal flu than the H1N1, also, its mutated already, what now? You need another shot….not me. I’m not worried about it. LOL.
I hope you don’t teach your children to be so ignorant. Hopefully their schools are teaching human compassion because they certainly don’t get a good example of it at home. You should be ashamed.
I think if you look for the good with the vaccine, you will find all the information about it. If you look for the bad, you will find that as well. I am stuck on whether or not to get it, I see so many websites saying its just like the regular flu shot and not needing much study as the stats are already there and other websites saying it is new, dont get it, its never been tested. My children attend a school that has a lot of children who visit their homeland of Mexico almost every weekend, and this concerns me because they are travelers which can transport it. Also many of them are dual working parents and NEED to send their children to school, sick or not. I’m lost at what is best for us. We are relatively healthy, no abnormal health issues.
Patti don’t be so ignorant…the H1N1 didn’t magically appear in Mexico. Do some research. This flu comes in antigenic shifts. This virus has been causing respiratory infection since 1918, then another shift in 1977, and the most resent of course in 2009. Let’s worry less about where it came from, because it’s everywhere now, and worry more about how to prevent from getting it and keeping our families safe. Children 6 months-18 years old, people who are chronically ill, and older adults should get the vaccine. Let’s all just be a little more cautious….and take a vacation to Mexico, it’s a BEAUTIFUL place!
I dont know if my family should get the vaccine or not. I’m 29 weeks pregnant and I have a 3 year old. I’m researching and study as mush as I can, but I’m still very confused on what’s best.
I’m with Julie…I’m not crazy about giving him a shot that hasn’t been studied for its long-term effects yet.
I also find the author’s planned reliance on high-interest pay day loans to “float” a budget to be scary…anyone else?
H1N1 is going to be the updated version of the common cold where there is no cure just major suppression through medicine.
I still haven’t gotten vaccinated…don’t know if I will.
That is great that the vaccines have finally arrived. Hopefully, there will be no more deaths because of the swine flu.
I have a 10month old baby I am worried if this new shot that hasen’t been studied for long is good or not. I don’t know if to give him the shot or not?????
This has been used in the 70S when the last outbreak happend. But as a parent i had my children vaccinated. Just do alittle more research to make yourself more sure first. The injection is what i got for my children. The mist carries the live virus. Hope this helped. GOOD LUCK.
I HAVE A NINE MONTH OLD AND WANT TO DO THE RIGHT THING, BUT IM DRIVING MYSELF CRAZY BECAUSE I DONT KNOW IF I SHOULD OR NOT GET HIM THE H1N1 VACCINE SHOT. ALL I WANT IS THE BEST FOR MY SON AND ITS THE HARDEST DECISION MY WIFE AND I HAVE HAD TO MAKE SO FAR FOR HIM.
LOL Franrose you wanna be a Bubble Girl?
Yeah this is ridiculous I think the celebs getting hit w/ Swine Flu are putting people on high alert. An older woman I work with told me when the Swine Flu hit earlier in the year more cases of people dying from regular flu than what H1N1 did to others.
All ridiculous if you ask me.
Washington State is on the list of the top 15 states that could be at 75% to 99% of hospital bed capacity due to H1N1 flu. WA is approximately at 75 percent. That means a lot of people in WA are infected with H1N1 flu. With that I’m going into early hibernation. Oh and I’m investing in a bubble suit in case I need to go out for any reason.