Most people have experienced the flu virus.
Posts Tagged ‘Cdc’
Comments: 0August 28th, 2011 by admin
Comments: 0February 14th, 2011 by admin
Signs are up everywhere advertising for flu shot clinics. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that you should get either a flue shot or use the flu vaccine nasal spray once a year. However lately there has also been a lot of controversy surrounding the shot. Professionals have differing opinions about the flu shot as to whether everyone should have one or not due to the side effects it may cause. In oder to make a personal decision for yourself here are the facts. The flu is a greater risk to those people who have a weakened immune system, this is includes very young children and the very elderly as well as anyone who has a compromised immune system. Therefore, there is no debate between the medical professionals that all in this group get the flu shot yearly. However; due to the side effects that are possible and the complications that can arise, it is not always right for everyone.
Typical side effects can include fever, body aches and soreness, swelling at the site of the shot. The nasal spray may cause a runny nose, headache, sore throat or cough. There have been recent studies that have shown a potential link between the flu shot and autism. Because of this study, many have opted out this year from getting the flu shot. The truth is that a preservative that is used to preserve the vaccine contains thimerosal. Thirmerosal is known to be a neurotoxin, simply this means that in large enough dosages (which are not even close in a single flu shot) could cause mercury contamination and severe illness. Most that offer the flu shots however, also offer a preservative free option but you may need to ask them if they can supply you with one.
Flu shots contain dead influenza for almost two weeks after receiving a flu shot, antibodies provide protection against some strains of the influenza virus develop in the body. Currently there is no flu shot available that provides protection from the avian influenza strains of the virus.
Since some people can develop severe side effects it is also recommended that you should consult with a physician first. An example of why a person should contact their physician is that not many know that the shot contains eggs, so if you are highly allergic, you should not take the shot as it can cause you to develop Guillain-Barre syndrome. This is a disease that which the body damages its own nerve cells that can result in permanent nerve damage. The best action is that of protecting yourself from the risk of contracting the flu and other viruses by practicing good health habits such as frequent hand washing, not touching mouth or nose after touching a public surface and avoiding those who have active colds or flu’s. Ensuring that every person has proper nutrition, getting rest and regular exercise will also strengthen a body and help it to ward off any bacterial virus.
Because of the number of side effects, the controversy surrounding the flu shot, the best advice to follow is talk to your health care provider before having the flu shot to determine if it is the right decision for you.
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mercury in flu vaccineComments: 0August 23rd, 2010 by admin
Every year thousands of people end up in the hospital with flu complications. According to CDC (Center of Disease Control & Prevention) the best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccination each year.
The question; Is flu shot vaccination really useful? Well, let’s take a quick look from the source, in this case is the Influenza virus that cause flu in the first place. There are currently 2 types of Influenza viruses, Type A & Type B. Indeed, these two viral candidates are fully responsible for the seasonal flu epidemics each year. Influenza Type A viruses can further be broken down into sub-types as well. Throughout the whole course of a flu season all these different types & subtypes of influenza viruses are being circulated in various form that cause this common illness.
In addition, influenza viruses are constantly changing through a process called “antigenic drift”. This is a continuous & spontaneous mutations process in the viral RNA. This often enables the virus to evade the immune system of the host such as humans, canine(Dog), avian(Birds), swine(Pig) & others. This process works in this sequence, a host infected with influenza virus develops antibody against that virus; as the virus changes, the “first” antibody no longer recognizes the “newer” virus and reinfection can occur. The first antibody may in some instances provide partial protection against reinfection with an influenza virus.
So, what that really mean is flu shot cannot really prevent you from getting a flu because it depends what type of viruses you are infected with. In addition, the Influenza viruses changes very rapidly which makes the vaccination to be somewhat obsolete. The vaccination is still effective for older type of viruses but be aware that it most likely have very little effect against current viruses.
The bottom line is that flu shot does not make you invincible towards the Influenza viruses, some people think you can get a flu from a flu shot which is not true. You can get a flu after the flu shot because you might be infected by newer Influenza viruses. Since the vaccine manufacturer cannot predict the future of Influenza viruses mutation. That means they are always reacting to the current result of the influenza viruses.
The best prevention is still simple common sense practices such as covering nose & mouth with tissue or napkins while coughing or sneezing. Do remember to dispose the tissues & napkins after use. Washing hands with soap & water after cough or sneeze. Hand sanitizers also works well. Avoid close contact with sick people as much as possible, if you happen to be infected with flu please be considerate to either stay at home, school , work place. Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth because this is how viruses spread into your immune systems.
In conclusion, the flu shot can give you an extra piece of mind in terms of protection which can be useful for many people. But it certainly is not the be all end all solution to this annual epidemics.
If you are interested to learn more about your health, check out http://www.healthyencounter.com.
Comments: 0November 22nd, 2009 by admin
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says that everyone under the age of 6 and over the age of 50, in addition to other groups of people with specific medical conditions, should get the influenza (flu) vaccine. And in general pretty much everyone is encouraged to get a flu shot. But is there any evidence that it will actually be helpful for you? The answer is probably not.
The often quoted figure is that 36,000 people die from the flu every year. However about half of those are deaths relate to ‘flu like illness’. Amongst the half that is due to the flu, there are several different strains of influenza virus, and the flu vaccine is going to target only a selected number of them. Add to that that the vaccine is made before the flu season starts, and they don’t know which strains will be showing up that year, that means that a lot of people are not going to get a flu shot that actually protects them against the flu. In addition many of the deaths are in the elderly who may have compromised immune systems, so the flu shot won’t work for them anyway. In fact the only group for which there is evidence that flu shots might save lives is with people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) which is caused by smoking.
But I can’t afford to lose time from work with the flu, you say. Actually no studies have shown that flu shots reduce time lost from work either.
The experts in the literature are actually saying not to use flu vaccines, although noone seems to listen to them. Quoting epidemiologist Tom Jefferson below: from an article in BMJ. “The optimistic and confident tone of some predictions of viral circulation and of the impact of inactivated vaccines, which are at odds with the evidence, is striking. The reasons are probably complex and may involve a ‘messy blend of truth conflicts and conflicts of interest making it difficult to separate factual disputes from value disputes’ or a manifestation of optimism bias (an unwarranted belief in the efficacy of interventions).”
Translation: Politicians think that flu vaccines work (but they don’t).
Comments: 0May 24th, 2009 by admin
Chances are if you are reading this you are already aware of the potential risks or side effects of receiving a flu shot. Even though the media is working diligently with government agencies and the CDC to make sure each on every one of us is standing in line waiting for yet another vaccine, you know you are not going to be one of those waiting for your cocktail of questionable ingredients.
An Ideal Flu Shot Alternative
Now that you have made your decision to remain flu shot free, what is your next step? What are good natural alternatives to the flu shot?
A strong, healthy immune system in key to preventing a flu virus from attacking your body. If your first line of defense is strong and healthy, then you possess the tools to remain healthy and “flu free”.
6 Steps To A Healthy Immune System & A Flu Shot Alternative
1) Eat Healthy – Nutritional Foods. Eliminate or reduce your sugar intake as well as processed foods. Sugar and processed foods inhibit the immune systems function, reducing it to a weakened state quickly.
2) Exercise – A strong body is a healthy body. When your blood is flowing, the complex components of your immune system are working at their optimum levels.
3) Sleep – A well body operates much more efficiently that a sleep deprived one. Take steps to get seven to eight hours every night.
4) Manage Stress – It is believed as much as 90% of illness and disease is triggered by high stress levels.
A body under stress for extended periods of time becomes worn out and unable to resist invasion from sickness, including the flu.
5) Wash Your Hands – Germs, bacteria and viruses simply will not live on a clean, disinfected surface, including your hands.
6) Take Supplements To Strengthen Your Immune System – Get Vitamin D & Vitamin C straight from the sun if you can, if not in the form of a good supplement. Omega 3 Oils have been shown to help strengthen the immune system. Colloidal Silver, an immune system builder, killing up to 650 strains of bacteria and viruses when used as a supplement makes a strong flu shot alternative.