Swine flu makes me angry. OK, that's not accurate. I am frustrated by such different messages we're getting. We just had a baby a couple months ago and in her 1 week appointment the doctor told us all to get the seasonal flu shot but actively discouraged us from getting the H1N1 vaccine. She said the symptoms can be so mild, that she couldn't say if we'd already had it, and if so, taking the vaccine could be worse for us. Fine, we thought. We went in for a checkup for us parents and the doctor railed against the media for their misplaced emphasis on swine flu, saying that they just wanted something for the news headlines. Great! No worries then.
A couple weeks ago, everyone but the baby and I (we think) took turns having a fever. Mild symptoms. We didn't get it checked or anything, so we're not sure but it's likely that it was H1N1. But of course we don't know.
And yet, the media continues the furor. Doctors are trotted out saying yes, go get it. (This is between stories of how there are no doses available). They're not our doctors! Why should I believe them over the doctor I pay to take care of my family? Or should I only listen to medical advice on the news?
The school claims they will be offering free vaccinations soon if parents want them. (To which I say- how did you get any doses if there are riots outside these places when they run out in 10 minutes? I think our principal has been out of town raiding clinics for doses.) I don't know. Of course I don't want our kids to suffer. What are you doing about H1N1?
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
H1N1
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4 comments:
that's a tough one. I am not really sure what to think. For now, we're obsessively washing hands and eating yogurt with probiotics to build health and immunity. I dunno. I got a regular flu shot myself at ethan's 2 week appt because the doc said to.
I have nursing friends who say swine flu isn't as big a deal as regular flu-- many more die and are hospitalized with that than swine flu.
so.... let me know if you find out more!
my work required me to get the vax. it was the intranasal and wasn't a big deal. from what i can tell, the h1n1 isn't much different than the seasonal flu. the reason it seems to have a higher propensity for younger kids is that 1) kids hang out in closer proximity than adults do, and 2) a lot of older adults already have immunity from similar viral strains which went around many years ago.
no evidence to suggest yet that swine flu is any more severe than the regular flu, just more contagious. i don't see any reason why you shouldn't get the vax, but don't think it'll hurt to skip it either.
They were supposed to be giving it out in our schools, too. At first they said they would do it in Nov. and now it has been postponed due to the shortages. I suppose we will get it if they are giving it out free at school. But I have terrible images in my mind of a line of panicking kindergartners all waiting to get pricked.
Hmmm! It's Mom speaking. I'm not getting it because I had a reaction some years ago to a flu shot. But I have also heard that older people may be immune because of earlier flus in the 50s? Anyway Dad was trying to get one, but Mary, Dad and I have all had something in the past month and someone at Mary's work did have the swine flu. They gave Dad anti-biotics and me too. I wasn't going to take them, just save them for Joe (You know how I am,) But I finally took them since I haven't had much of a voice for 2 weeks and am going to California on the 19th.
Mom
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