Monday, October 26, 2009

Influenza

What I'm reading:  Echo in the Bone -Diana Gabaldon (yes, I told you I was going to read it).


Isn't it something how a pandemic can send everything into upheaval?  The stuff stories are written from :-)

People I meet on the street are asking me to weigh in on the whole "did you get a flu shot?" question.  For my part, no.  I'm a healthy woman (blessed with good genes).  My husband tells me I'm a carrier, which means I don't get sick, but I carry it to other people to get sick.  I don't like to think of myself that way, but I suppose choosing between the two, it would be my preference.  Either way, I am not at high risk, even if the flu should strike me, so no, I'll save the vaccines for people who need it more than I do.  I'm sure my day will come.

The other thing that I marvel at is the way people are describing this pandemic as a killer flu.  Sadly, I think these people are grossly misinformed.  The data that I've seen shows that the chances of getting the flu or greatly increased this year, but the chances of it becoming more serious are still less than one percent - those instances being the high risk factor that is exacerbated by the flu.  So again, I'm not panicky.

So what's your take on this whole pandemic thing?  Is it the end of the world as we know it or is it just he flu, like every other year (or somewhere in between)?  Did you get YOUR flu shot?

3 comments:

  1. I've had one flu shot in the last 30 years. My doctor doesn't get them, doesn't recommend them if he thinks a bout of the flu won't lead to serious complications (although he won't tell you NOT to get one). I figure my immune system is in good enough shape. And the viruses mutate faster than the vaccines can keep up, so who knows if it's doing any good.

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  2. I wanted to get the H1N1 shot for my kids. Our county health department had it set up where they were going to come into schools. They cancelled it due to shortage. The only places now to get it are large clinics for the masses with five hour lines. I've heard of pregnant women unable to get the shot because they can't stand in line that long (in all kinds of weather). I'm sure others with health problems are also having trouble waiting in those lines as well..so the people who really need it aren't getting it.

    So I'm giving up on the whole thing. I'm not willing to go to extremes to get the shot for my kids (or self). The whole thing is chaos and mismanagement. Also I suspect our immune systems becomes stronger with experience.

    Best,

    Cindy.

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  3. I agree- whatever doesn't kill you will only make you stronger (and hopefully the flu won't kill me!)

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