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2007-10-31 1:28 AM
in reply to: #1029451

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Coach
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Stairway to Seven
Subject: RE: For those who have got the flu shot
This is a nice discussion of influenza, pandemics, who gets it, who carries it, who facilitates it's transmission (kids) and vaccination as prevention:

http://www.childrensmedgroup.com/library/kidsbits/influenza.htm

A recent study in infants and toddlers receiving vaccinations with and without thiomerisol show that it is metabolized by the body and does not accumulate.

You can always opt for the nasal vaccine if you are worried about the thiomerisol component...but those who choose that route may shed active (weakened) virus from nasal discharge for several days, so if you are around susceptible people at home or at work, you should not choose this option.

I plan to wait until I have 4 days off in a row and get the nasal vaccine. I have gotten the shot nearly every year since starting medical school. A few years I got pretty bad allergic reactions to the shot in the form of an arm that was totally swollen and red...but nothing bad happened. Every year I'm afraid of what reaction I'll get that year, but feel it's far more important to be protected, both for my sake and the sake of my patients.


2007-10-31 1:30 AM
in reply to: #1030984

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Coach
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Subject: RE: For those who have got the flu shot
AdventureBear - 2007-10-31 12:21 AM

The influenza vaccine protects against the most popular paint jobs.



WTF... I make myself laugh out loud sometimes! I really should quit these swing shifts...
2007-10-31 8:16 AM
in reply to: #1029451

Subject: RE: For those who have got the flu shot
I'm not against vaccines, per se. I will not be one of those parents who refuses to have their child vaccinated against the usual stuff - absolutely, I will have them vaccinated. And for very young children and older folks, and folks with weakened immune systems due to other conditions, it's a good precaution. However, I am very uncomfortable with the way society has tried to sterilize the world against germs. And then we wonder why these new viruses are popping up, mutating, why antibiotics don't work as well anymore, etc. I think for myself, I'll take my chances. I go to the doctor when it seems as though I have more than a common cold - I'm not going to be stupid and wait for it to pass. Besides, they always seem to run out of flu vaccines - figure I'll save it for someone who needs it more than I do (like my grandmother, who has rheumatoid arthritis and could feasibly die from the flu).
2007-10-31 8:28 AM
in reply to: #1031112

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Champion
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Subject: RE: For those who have got the flu shot

I said I wouldn't do this, but I can't help myself.

Vaccination is not just about you.  What if you were carrying the flu before you developed any symptoms and passed it along to your grandmother?  To somebody else with a compromised immune system?  Vaccinations are as much about herd immunity (whereby the most vulnerable of us are protected because there are fewer people passing it around) as it is about individual immunity.

BTW, I only responded because you seem to be open minded about this, and this concept isn't really put out there all that much for whatever reason.

wurkit_gurl - 2007-10-31 8:16 AM I'm not against vaccines, per se. I will not be one of those parents who refuses to have their child vaccinated against the usual stuff - absolutely, I will have them vaccinated. And for very young children and older folks, and folks with weakened immune systems due to other conditions, it's a good precaution. However, I am very uncomfortable with the way society has tried to sterilize the world against germs. And then we wonder why these new viruses are popping up, mutating, why antibiotics don't work as well anymore, etc. I think for myself, I'll take my chances. I go to the doctor when it seems as though I have more than a common cold - I'm not going to be stupid and wait for it to pass. Besides, they always seem to run out of flu vaccines - figure I'll save it for someone who needs it more than I do (like my grandmother, who has rheumatoid arthritis and could feasibly die from the flu).

2007-10-31 8:52 AM
in reply to: #1031128

Subject: RE: For those who have got the flu shot
DerekL - 2007-10-31 9:28 AM

I said I wouldn't do this, but I can't help myself.

Vaccination is not just about you.  What if you were carrying the flu before you developed any symptoms and passed it along to your grandmother?  To somebody else with a compromised immune system?  Vaccinations are as much about herd immunity (whereby the most vulnerable of us are protected because there are fewer people passing it around) as it is about individual immunity.

BTW, I only responded because you seem to be open minded about this, and this concept isn't really put out there all that much for whatever reason.

wurkit_gurl - 2007-10-31 8:16 AM I'm not against vaccines, per se. I will not be one of those parents who refuses to have their child vaccinated against the usual stuff - absolutely, I will have them vaccinated. And for very young children and older folks, and folks with weakened immune systems due to other conditions, it's a good precaution. However, I am very uncomfortable with the way society has tried to sterilize the world against germs. And then we wonder why these new viruses are popping up, mutating, why antibiotics don't work as well anymore, etc. I think for myself, I'll take my chances. I go to the doctor when it seems as though I have more than a common cold - I'm not going to be stupid and wait for it to pass. Besides, they always seem to run out of flu vaccines - figure I'll save it for someone who needs it more than I do (like my grandmother, who has rheumatoid arthritis and could feasibly die from the flu).

 No, I understand that. If I had young kids, etc (or lived with/near dear old granny instead of several states away), then I'd probably do it to protect them in case I got sick (though children are usually the ones bringing home the germs - my mom only ever got the stomach bug, etc. after we did). But I just try to avoid this stuff as much as humanly possible. I'm sure my hypochondriac roommate will get the flu shot so she'll be safe

 

2007-10-31 8:52 AM
in reply to: #1031128

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Master
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Subject: RE: For those who have got the flu shot

DerekL - 2007-10-31 7:28 AM 

Vaccinations are as much about herd immunity (whereby the most vulnerable of us are protected because there are fewer people passing it around) as it is about individual immunity.

That is very interesting.  I never thought of it in that way before. 



Z
2007-10-31 10:13 AM
in reply to: #1029451

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Master
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Subject: RE: For those who have got the flu shot
The flu vaccine does not protect one from flu but it does lessen your chances of bad complications like pneumonia for example. People usually do not die from flu but from complications. There was very good discussion on NPR about it the other day, that where I heard it.
2007-10-31 11:55 AM
in reply to: #1031324

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Champion
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Subject: RE: For those who have got the flu shot

No, it protects you against the flu if it's one of those strains covered.

The "pneumonia shot" doesn't prevent you from getting pneumonia but lessens complications.  You sure that's not what they were talking about?

Z - 2007-10-31 10:13 AM The flu vaccine does not protect one from flu but it does lessen your chances of bad complications like pneumonia for example. People usually do not die from flu but from complications. There was very good discussion on NPR about it the other day, that where I heard it.

2007-10-31 11:58 AM
in reply to: #1029451

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Coach
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Subject: RE: For those who have got the flu shot
Hmm. Nobody else thought my joke about the paint jobs was funny? I thought it was a great explanation.
2007-10-31 12:17 PM
in reply to: #1031553

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Champion
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Subject: RE: For those who have got the flu shot

I liked the swirlie part.

AdventureBear - 2007-10-31 11:58 AM Hmm. Nobody else thought my joke about the paint jobs was funny? I thought it was a great explanation.

Z
2007-10-31 9:51 PM
in reply to: #1031545

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Master
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Subject: RE: For those who have got the flu shot
DerekL - 2007-10-31 12:55 PM

No, it protects you against the flu if it's one of those strains covered.

The "pneumonia shot" doesn't prevent you from getting pneumonia but lessens complications. You sure that's not what they were talking about?

Z - 2007-10-31 10:13 AM The flu vaccine does not protect one from flu but it does lessen your chances of bad complications like pneumonia for example. People usually do not die from flu but from complications. There was very good discussion on NPR about it the other day, that where I heard it.

I'm sure! But I would not argue with a doc.



Edited by Z 2007-10-31 9:55 PM


2007-10-31 9:53 PM
in reply to: #1032630

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Champion
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Subject: RE: For those who have got the flu shot

Ok, well they're wrong.

Z - 2007-10-31 9:51 PM
DerekL - 2007-10-31 12:55 PM

No, it protects you against the flu if it's one of those strains covered.

The "pneumonia shot" doesn't prevent you from getting pneumonia but lessens complications. You sure that's not what they were talking about?

Z - 2007-10-31 10:13 AM The flu vaccine does not protect one from flu but it does lessen your chances of bad complications like pneumonia for example. People usually do not die from flu but from complications. There was very good discussion on NPR about it the other day, that where I heard it.

I'm sure
 

2007-11-01 12:17 AM
in reply to: #1031169

Elite
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Subject: RE: For those who have got the flu shot
regimom - 2007-10-31 8:52 AM

DerekL - 2007-10-31 7:28 AM 

Vaccinations are as much about herd immunity (whereby the most vulnerable of us are protected because there are fewer people passing it around) as it is about individual immunity.

That is very interesting.  I never thought of it in that way before. 

So, am I a bad person for not getting one? I never get them.

2007-11-01 7:13 AM
in reply to: #1032734

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Champion
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Subject: RE: For those who have got the flu shot

Yes, you're an evil old person killer.

Nah.  Just something to think about though.

MikeTheBear - 2007-11-01 12:17 AM
regimom - 2007-10-31 8:52 AM

DerekL - 2007-10-31 7:28 AM 

Vaccinations are as much about herd immunity (whereby the most vulnerable of us are protected because there are fewer people passing it around) as it is about individual immunity.

That is very interesting.  I never thought of it in that way before. 

So, am I a bad person for not getting one? I never get them.



Edited by DerekL 2007-11-01 7:13 AM
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