Flu Season-H1N1 immunization? | Arthritis Information
So thinking ahead...
Is anyone planning to get the swine flu immunization this fall? When I read about the immunization they had created I think it was back in 1976 and people were getting paralysis from it...it's kind of scary to think about. On the other hand not getting the immunization when having a chronic health condition is a little scary to think about too. Just wondering if anyone's thought about what they'll do this season. I work in the medical industry and my manager who's a nurse says she worries this season is going to be a whole lot worse with this swine flu.
That's a good question. I get a regular flu shot every year; I'm going to do some reading up on the H1N1 vaccine before I make up my mind.
i willget the standard flu shot..like JR I'm not so sure about the H1N1 yet...I suspect I'll hold off on that until I see how the flu season goes. I'm not at high risk for exposure and despite immunosuppressents almost ever get sick so I think I will be ok if I hold off on it a bitSo far in my life, not one flu shot. I did let a doctor talk me into a pneumonia shot. Kinda wish I hadn't. Too late for looking in that rear view mirror.
LEV
http://cbs4denver.com/health/h1n1.swine.flu.2.1061951.html
"That happened in 1976, when officials vaccinated 40 million Americans in anticipation of a new strain of swine flu. But the pandemic never materialized, and at least 500 people who got the shots came down with a paralyzing condition called Guillain-Barre Syndrome. It's still unknown what caused the condition."
"Swine flu and seasonal flu have been circulating together, with new data from Australia — which is experiencing its annual flu season — indicating that flu cases there are 60 percent swine and 40 percent seasonal."
i guess my mom'll make me get the swine flu shot
ive never had any shots for regular flu before....
except LAST year, i had a flu mist thing (im scared of needles)
so that was weird, it goes up ur nose and it dripped down my throat...
idk if it worked, i guess so, i didnt get the flu
altho ive never gotten the flu, and nobody i know ever has either...
of course the swine flu seems dangerous, a lil bit
I need to investigate it further before I decide. We're not traveling to Mexico this winter and my exposure is limited here in Nevada. I will stay away from crowds and obviously ill people, other than that I'm not too worried. I do get the flu shot each year. LindyI get the flu shot yearly..... I thought if you had the "normal" flu shot your worries bout h1n1 were minimal? that the strains were similar enough to warrant not getting it full blown? IDK.. wives tale, ........ anyone....... Bueller?Good question, I work in a grocery store so I always get a flu shot, in fact our company pays for it. This sill be my first year on enbrel though, so I'm a little nervous about it. I've only had one infection since being on it, not too bad right? I'm actually in the waiting room at my rheumatologist now, I'll ask him and see what he thinks.
I have pondered the same question. It scares me that they may have thrown the vaccine together too fast but then again with a compromised immune system is it worth the risk?? I'll bet most RA docs will recommend it
Although the nephrologist is urging me to get both, like others I want a bit more information. However, having seen how very ill those folks in Mexico were with what was considered mild cases, I am learning towards both flu vaccines, that is if they are available in our rural area.
Decisions, decisions, decisions!
So my rheumy said no to the new one since it's a live vaccine. Apparently those are a no go for me. Just saw a thing in paper the other day that my city has been chosen as a "test market" where they will be administering the injection to infants.
I was one that lined up in '76 -- I woke up three days later. That was the LAST time i took a flu vaccine. Would rather take chances with the real thing.
[QUOTE=Allymom]So my rheumy said no to the new one since it's a live vaccine. Apparently those are a no go for me. [/QUOTE]
I thought only the inhaled versions of flu vaccine (either strain) were the live vaccines? Aren't the injections both killed viruses?
[QUOTE=JasmineRain]
[QUOTE=Allymom]So my rheumy said no to the new one since it's a live vaccine. Apparently those are a no go for me. [/QUOTE]
I thought only the inhaled versions of flu vaccine (either strain) were the live vaccines? Aren't the injections both killed viruses?
[/QUOTE]
From
CDC[quote]Inactivated licensed novel H1N1 vaccine will be available in
single-dose syringes, or in multi-dose vials. Live attenuated vaccine
will be available in limited number in inhaler sprayers. Single-dose
syringes will be thimerosal-free, which will address concerns about
this additive, especially regarding pediatric and pregnant vaccine
recipients (inhaler sprayer vaccine products will also be
thimerosal-free). The availability of novel H1N1 vaccine is dependent
on multiple factors including virus growth at commercial scale,
regulatory review, availability of calibrated vaccine product potency
assay reagents, overall production capacity, and availability to U.S.
through HHS contracts.[/quote]I'll see if I can find the link to an article I read just the other day regarding an element in H1N1 vaccine called "squalene", which apparently has triggered RA in animals. I think we should ask our RDs about squalene.
There are two employees in my office out sick with swine flu right now. It's a large space and my cubicle is far away, but still.....
I just received this in my email...thought some here might be interested in reading it.
Oh my gosh.... Well, If I wasn't already confused about getting the swine flu shot, now I'm even more confused. Holy smokes! It really is scary to think about not getting the shot with chronic health conditions, OR getting the shot which now seems like could be even more harmful... and they're testing this out on babies? oh jeeze....I think this is a situation where we have to wait and see how things evolve, and make a decision after more information is available. The flu is there, and is already killing people - mostly people with chronic illnesses. One of my son's friends is recovering from it right now, and it made him quite sick - he's a healthy, active 19 year old.
Even those of us who don't get out much are at risk. The person stocking the shelves at the grocery store may cough on his hand and then handle your morning box of Lucky Charms. Obviously washing your hands is a good preventative, but as the saying goes "stuff happens".
Ultimately I will make a decision with my doctor, but I am probably going to get the vaccine. Having asthma, I don't want a virus that attacks the lungs. There are days when breathing is hard enough as it is. Awhile back I posted and article about the Spanish Flu, and how people died in 1918, struggling for air, turning blue and frothing at the mouth. Suffocating because there was no room for oxygen in their fluid filled lungs. Not a game I want to play.
Hillhoney, I love your saying in your signature line!
"Life shouldn't be a journey to the grave intending to arrive safely in an attractive well preserved body; instead skid in sideways, body all worn out, screaming "WOO HOO!, What a ride!
I also agree , I will talk it over with my Rheumy ...I want to get it to be safe, but keep hearing horror stories about the shot.
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