Thursday, October 1, 2009

This helped...


I asked my doctor how he felt about it and he said he's getting it for his whole family, which includes a 3 year old with respiratory issues.

Plus this:

Q.: I see very little information available to the public about how the vaccines compare as the manufacturing process for each. Are they created using the exact same technique? If so, does that mean that the safety/risk profile is the same for each?
A.:
A flu shot is a flu shot is a flu shot, according to the Food and Drug Administration, which licenses companies to make vaccines. "All flu vaccine manufacturers use essentially the same technique to produce the seasonal and H1N1 vaccines. They each produce a slightly different version of the vaccine, but all versions adhere to the FDA's stringent standards for safety and effectiveness," said Pat El-Hinnawy, a spokeswoman for the FDA.
Q.: I've heard 56 children have died since April from H1N1. Could you give me more detail about this figure? I would like to know of those 56 children, how many had underlying health care problems? How many of them sought medical attention? And finally, what is the age range or average age of the 56 children?
A.:
According to the CDC, of these 56 children, 31 had a pre-existing medical condition such as spina bifida or cerebral palsy before they became infected with H1N1, 17 did not, and health authorities don't have data on the eight other children. Among the children for whom the CDC has information, 35 died in a hospital's intensive care unit, four died in the emergency room, three died on an inpatient ward in the hospital, and five died outside the hospital, such as at home or on the way to the hospital. The average age of the children who died is 10 years old. A September 4 CDC report has more details on the pediatric deaths.

7 comments:

Ky • twopretzels.com said...

So what have you decided to do?

Unknown said...

We're getting them.

Can you believe that's where my research took me?? I certainly can't.

Ky • twopretzels.com said...

I'm floored.

Both regular flu and H1N1?

Unknown said...

Both. I did enough research to write my dissertation on the subject, and after that plus doctor interviews (specifically ones with young children and a strong background in vaccination seminar attendence) I made my decision. The hype is crazy. It's a flu shot, and nothing more. It's made the same way, and if it had been discovered sooner, it would be in the regular seasonal flu shot and no one would be talking about it.

The shots have dead viruses in them. You CAN NOT catch the flu from them (the nasal sprays are a different story). BUT it takes up to 21 days to have full resistance, so people that get sick after the flu shot and say it doesn't work, this could be why.

The complication from this particular flu strain can be very, very scary and I think this is the only way I'm going to be able to leave the house with Athena this year.

If anyone thinks I'm way off base, PLEASE give 2 cents! It's why I do this stuff publicly.

Wrestling Kitties said...

I don't think you are way off base if you feel it works for your family and you have talked to your doctors. It sounds like you are not taking either lightly and not just jumping into something, which is great!

I personally am not a fan of either the flu shot or the H1N1 shot for myself mainly because I have a good immune system and I feel as though my body will naturally fight off anything I may get without having to put anything else in my body. The people who die because they catch either the flu or this new H1N1 usually have a weak immune system and don't treat the symptoms right away. I am not saying that is ALL the cases, but the majority.

I just really feel it is all about your immune system and how well you take care of your body (added chemicals, not taking vitamins, not washing your hands, not getting a good amount of sleep, etc) If you do not take care of yourself you will most likely get sick every year with the flu whether you take the flu shot or not.

But again, I totally think you should do what is right for YOUR family!! :)

Ky • twopretzels.com said...

I am so proud of you for researching and doing what is best for you and The Bee.

Truly.

Look at you!

Question: how long does the virus live on solid surfaces? (I figured you'd know this. Why google it when I can, "Nadja it.")

Unknown said...

I've actually come across a lot of discrepancies when it comes to how long it lives on surfaces. The ranges for money, shopping carts, countertops, etc. has ranged from hours to days. Therefore I Clorox wipe or Lysol EVERYTHING... including someone's stupid face if they cough in Athena's general direction.