Shu The Flu

by: AndreaDow
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Word Count: 517

Monday, November 19th

Being pregnant for the first time during flu season, I wondered if I should invest in a flu shot. I only had a shot once, but felt like I got sick immediately afterwards. After that experience, I never went back. Who wants to get sick from getting a shot? Thanks to Sarah Clachar of Health Magazine, you can weigh the pros and cons of getting a flut shot yourself and decide whether a shot is necessary.

Every year, the vaccination is based on an educated guess from researchers around the world. After guessing which top 3 viruses will hit next fall and winter, those top 3 flu viruses are put into the vaccination. Most years, the CDC says that the vaccine should be effective aginst 70-90% of flu strains. In the recent past, the vaccination has missed a couple of powerful flu strains that landed many in the hospital.

Who should definitely avoid the vaccination and what are the potential side effects? Those with egg allergies since the vaccine is manufactured using eggs. According to Clacher, manufacturers are required to check that no live flu viruses are in the vaccination which could case illness. Some researchers think the vaccine is less effective for those with weaker immune systems and worry that there is not enough evidence on safety. On the contrary, some researchers believe the vaccine is the best way to protect yourself against the flu virus. Not everyone reports adverse side effects, but those that have since 1991 (only 26,000 out of millions of vaccines distributed) report fever, rash, headaches, hives and very rarely seizures.

What about Mercury in the vaccinations? Unfortunately, there is a preservative called thimerosal, a known neurotoxin containing 49% Mercury, is present in flu vaccinations. The debate still rages as to whether Mercury can be linked to autism. Many states have already prohibited the use of thimerosal in kid's vaccinations. There is a very limited supply of Mercury-free vaccinations, so it may be too late to put in a request for this year.

I was shocked to see that 40,000 people die per year in the United States due to flu complications such as pneumonia and heart problems. Another 200,000 people are hospitalized with the flu each year. The people most at risk are pregnant women, kids 6 months to 5 years old and anyone with a chronic health condition like heart disorders, diabetes or asthma. If you live or work with people in a high-risk group, you may also want to consider getting the shot.

If you are like me and decided not to get a shot this year, follow these tips:

1. Wash your hands vigorously for 15-20 seconds.
2. Avoid large crowds- do some online shopping instead of making a lot of trips to the mall.
3. Keep well hydrated.
4. Take a multivitamin and load up on extra Vitamin C.
5. Talk with your health care provider about taking Echinacea or Astragalus- both of these herbs have been proven to be effective.

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