Will you trust/get the swine flu vaccine?

[InvisibleTouch]

Just curious what the consensus is here in the Health forum. When the vaccine becomes available, will you get it?

I'm iffy, myself. I get the regular flu vaccine almost every year because I have issues with my lungs, and I've never had a problem with side effects or lack of protection - but I'm wary of brand-new-on-the-market medical products. So many are rushed to market and then recalled when terrible side effects come to light.

Also I wonder whether the vaccine they're currently working on, based on the current mild strain of swine flu, will even protect against the more virulent form that may be gearing up for a winter debut.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. No

I will make sure my immune system is at optimal efficiency through diet and supplementation.

[InvisibleTouch]

6. That's my inclination as well...

...but recall that the 1918 pandemic killed disproportionate numbers of young, healthy adults with presumably good immune systems. The theory went that it was the strong reaction of the immune system, itself, that caused the rapid onset of symptoms and death; people woke up in the morning feeling fine, and were dead by nightfall from fluid in the lungs.

One of my favorite cure-alls in my herbal medicine chest, for both internal and external infections, is echinacea, which I use for myself and for my dogs with excellent results. Given that it works by kicking up the immune system, though, I don't think it's the herb of choice for an especially virulent flu.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

19. My mom was born during the 1918 flu outbreak

her dad was a doctor, and up almost 24/7 taking care of folks. He didn't get the flu, nor did any of the rest of his family.

[Deep13]

22. How do you know he never got it?

Would your mother even remember if he was a bit achy one day? Besides, he probably did something most of us still haven't mastered. He probably washed his hands a lot.

Anyway, these anecdotes proved nothing, of course.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

29. Because I personally knew him

He was my MD in my childhood, and taught me about the proper medical terminology for diseases I had. He told me about getting the horse and buggy out when the Flivver wouldn't crank up.

[trotsky]

32. She doesn't, of course.

Plenty of people can harbor a disease and show no symptoms themselves - or very mild symptoms that might be dismissed as something else. Typhoid Mary was perhaps the most famous of these carriers. It can happen with rhinoviruses and flu viruses too. But some folks are emotionally invested in the idea that they can somehow keep themselves protected from any disease by taking the right pills.

[Why Syzygy]

47. 1918

"The comparisons to 1918 are so tenuous and misplaced that it's actually laughable. To start with, indoor plumbing barely existed 90 years ago. Overall sanitation was much lower, and simple hand-washing as we know hardly existed. Plus the other huge factor was the packing together of soldiers in crowded and often unsanitary conditions, young men who literally had just come from the farm, and known few other humans in their lives and so had relatively naive immune systems. As those soldiers were infected, they were then shipped off on trains and in troop ships to infect others."

quoted from: DUer, SheliaT

[Deep13]

11. It may be optimally efficient...

...but that won't do jack shit to ward off an aggressive virus like flu, especially if it is not a strain your body recognizes. The only way to prepare ones immune system for flu is to make it familiar with flu ahead of time by vaccine.

[Why Syzygy]

48. This is not true.

Your body encounters innumerable viruses and bacteria every day. They are crawling all over the inside and outside of you right now. Your immune system keeps you from succumbing to their take over. You have not had vaccines to every one of these bugs.

[tridim]

2. I've had a bad flu once, it was the year I got a flu shot.

So no, I will not be getting a swine flu shot.

[Deep13]

12. That's your reason?!

That won't happen with swine flu because the shot is specifically targeted at avian/swine flu.

[tridim]

14. That's one of the reasons.

I also still have a hunch that the vaccine might be a scam. I guess we'll find out soon if I'm right or wrong.

[Why Syzygy]

49. Which will have mutated into who knows what

by the time the vaccine is released in November.

[timeforpeace]

17. Correct. There's no way to prove it helps. Plus you can still get the flu.

About the worst bet you can make.

[Deep13]

21. If that's your idea of a bad bet, ...

...how would you like to join our poker night?

The worst that will happen is you will get the flu anyway. If the vaccine works, you will avoid the flu. Sounds like a no brainer to me.

[Oregone]

3. Yes. Im close to the median age of death

And I have children to raise.

[stray cat]

4. yes - weigh the risk of a severe case of the flu versus a shot and make your call

[sharp_stick]

5. Yup

having had the flu in the past and watching someone way too young die from it when I was in med school did it for me.

on edit: die from regular not swine flu.

[glowing]

7. No.

[Epiphany4z]

8. yes

I am diabetic and I have passed on the yearly flu shot a few times and always end up with complication from the flu in those years ...one time bad enough to be hospitalized.

[Deep13]

9. Get one? yes--trust it? I'll let you know at the end of the season.

This presupposes there will be any vaccine to be had. I understand there are major problems in its production. But if I can get one there is no down-side.

[madrchsod]

10. yes.....

[Yunomi]

13. Aw, Hell no!

I've known too many people who got sick from the shots themselves. If I die, I die.

[Deep13]

23. Huh. I get one every year and don't know ANYONE who has gotten sick...

...from the shot. I've been sick shortly after the shot, but that is because I was within the incubation period (~2 weeks) of the shot and I probably already had been infected. A person is contagious for about three days before symptoms start.

[Pharaoh]

15. No

I don't trust big pharma or our government

[Deep13]

24. Do you trust viruses? nt

[Why Syzygy]

50. And this isn't the time or issue to change your stance.

Same side of the fence.

I'm not in the recommended age group and was exposed to 1976, so I'm not even a viable candidate.
Plus, there's the "egg allergy".

[timeforpeace]

16. Yeah, I'm a gambler. I like to take risks. And I support Big Pharma any way I can.

Besides, what would the planet do without me?

[JonQ]

18. Nah, I'll stick it out and hope for the best

I've only had a regular flu vaccine once (part of a study, so I got paid for it). That was the one year I actually got the flu.

[silverweb]

20. Nope.

[Pharaoh]

25. I trust my healthy immune system

vaccines do for the body what it does naturally .

when you start using vaccines that means your own immune system is being over ridden.

I'm not against all these things, but certainly this swine flu shot/shots.

I'll wait and see. People are being driven by fear so far.

[Deep13]

27. That is complete nonsense.

Vaccines give the immune system advanced warning to be ready with antibodies so it is not overwhelmed until after the virus has done its damage. Ultimately, it is ones own immune system that fights them off (usually). A vaccine simply gives it advanced notice.

If you think vaccine is unnecessary, visit a 3rd world country someday.

[FirstLight]

26. can I say HELL NO...!?

Ya, I'm one of those folks who doesn;t do vaccines of ANY type. (so there's your flame-fest for the day)

My family is genetically predisposed to auto-immune issues, and vaccines can trigger that latent gene to turn "on" and start attacking healthy tissues. so I avoid them like the plague... I myself am already compromised, so I guess I am at the safer end of the spectrum, since it is healthy overactive immune systems that do you in.

besides, look at the 1975 Swine Flu debacle and tell me how much 'safer' these vaccines will be NOW... with a rush job, new additives that have not been tested, and big Pharma $$$$ all rolled up in a nice toxic package.
:tinfoilhat:
Yep, I'd feel safer knowing I am in a rural area and able to keep my kids home from school and stay away from the post office & store if there's an outbreak, relying on our holistic remedies etc...

[Deep13]

28. What "holistic remedy" is there for the flu?

:shrug:

[uppityperson]

30. And how much money will Big Vita/Big Holi make off people?

"I won't get the flu because Big Pharma will make $15" vs "I will only buy 'natural' suppliments and holistic things since that way only Big Vita and Big Holi will make $75"

To answer OP, I will. And I will continue to educate people what vaccines do, what influenza is (no, it isn't having severe diarrhea and vomitting for 24 hours) and try to counter unreasonable fears about vaccines and H1N1 flu. And I'll help take care of people who get sick with H1N1 flu.

[FirstLight]

35. there are certain things known as anti-virals

Garlic, tea tree oil (not for ingestion but still handy nontheless) aret he first that come to mind... I'd have to crack open my herbal med. 'bible' and check for more...but yes, there are flu/virus fighting substances in the naturally occuring world.

[Deep13]

36. They may be known as antivirals, but they're not.

Anti-virals have to be engineered to the specific virus. Chemicals that kill a broad range of disease organisms are antiseptics and they are not safe to be used internally because they cause more bodily damage than the virus. Anti-viral and anti-biotics are chemically engineered to attack disease organisms only. So, I would be very interested in any clinical trials involving garlic as an antiviral agent on something as virulent and changeable as the flu.

[Why Syzygy]

51. You are extremely misinformed on this topic.

A curious thing, you pushing your view point so rigorously.

[LeftishBrit]

31. Yes, probably.

I don't usually get the annual flu vaccine, because I've had somewhat unpleasant side effects in the past, and because I'm never sure whether what's in it will really turn out to be the flu of the season. (Yes, I'd probably advise others to act differently from me here!) But this time they know exactly what the bug is, so, assuming they come up with something that seems to work I'll have it. Especially as (a) I have some pre-existing health problems, though they're well controlled; (b) I work with children in schools as part of my job.

[trotsky]

33. Only if there is enough vaccine to protect the most vulnerable first.

Provided that's the case, I'll gladly roll up my sleeve.

[semillama]

37. I'd normally go your route, Trotsky

but with a baby in the house, I can't afford not to if the vaccine is available. So, if I can, I'll get it. If H1N1 goes seriously south on us, well, I don't even want to think about it.

[trotsky]

42. In your position, definitely.

I would do the same. It's worth getting the vaccine just to protect others.

[lizerdbits]

40. Agreed

My parents are 61 and 65 so they need it more if supply is short. However, I sometimes work with flu, including HPAI, and the seasonal vaccine is a requirement to reduce the chance of recombination in the event of a lab accident. If there's enough, I may be required to get it for work which is fine with me.

[trotsky]

43. Oh yeah, with your job, that is pretty important.

Good luck with teh autism! ;-)

[EvolveOrConvolve]

34. Yep

I'm lucky to have great insurance that will pay for it.

[Shagbark Hickory]

38. I will save the vaccines for people that need them. Immune comprimised, elderly, HC workers, kid etc

[Shagbark Hickory]

39. Wash your hands before you eat or touch your face & I think you will be surprised at how healthy u r

[dana_b]

41. yes

I'm a healthcare worker - I have to.

Also the recommendation is for young people to get it this year - not the elderly, like it is with the other flu vaccines.

[dropkickpa]

44. Yes

I always get vaccinated for the flu because I seem to be really susceptible to it. Also, because of where I work I walk past immunocompromised people daily and I would not want to be responsible for exposing them to something that could kill them, I'm just not that much of a selfish asshole.

[Why Syzygy]

45. No.

Baxter pharmaceuticals should be INVESTIGATED for earlier (last year) insulin contaminations with BIRD FLU.
Instead, they have been tasked with a sure mega money maker, what threatens to be 'mandatory' vaccines.

Reports from Brazil and the Philippines, where there are high incidences, do not have related deaths.

Recommendations from a medical source:

If you become ill, stay home for 7 days
Eat healthy food
Wash your hands at least 20 seconds with soap and warn water
Use hand "gel," alcohol based, when not near soap and water.
Keep hands away from face
Clean surfaces with alcohol
Enjoy life and laugh as it stimulates the immune system!

(thanks LaurenG)

[mzmolly]

46. I'll wait for more info

before making such a decision.

[spooked911]

52. No-- already had swine flu.

Natural immunity rules.

Though the flu sucked.

[Why Syzygy]

54. Did you quarantine yourself?

Did anyone else around you get sick?
Glad to see you recovered.

[BuddhaGirl]

53. absolutely not

especially hearing about the untested additives going in it. Blech!