The Swine Flu Shot a Waste of Time!

[KnottedYet]

Snap is right. Each state and then each county has a distribution plan. The best place to start for info is with the Sacramento County Public Health Dept.

I'm in a high risk category and I've been told the same thing by my doctor (of course, for my own state and county . . . ).

SadieKate is absolutely right, as always. She is indefatiguable in pursuit of factuality. Just because our PCP's all have reserves doesn't mean yours would. Please ignore my suggestion.

[xeney]

Our public health department is not starting shot clinics until mid November and they do not have any vaccine available at the moment. In Northern California most of it has gone directly to Kaiser, as I understand it. I'll go to the clinics once they start, but so far there have only been seasonal flu vaccine clinics (and I gather those supplies are all gone, too).

[Trek420]

It's a great idea to talk to your PCP to asses risks and your decision about the shot. Speaking of which I caught this on the news the other day.

http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local...-67229792.html

Yes, I think we all should aspire to eat a diet rich in nutrition, fruits and vegies, high in vitamins and nutrients. Even a car crash I was in as a youth I came out of it ok because I was fit. We all try to "eat right", I'm sure that helps in a lot of ways. But we should know the science/medical risks and rewards.

Thanks to all you TE medical type folk for chiming in with the "house call"

The debate about vaccination has been a long one. Here's a quote from Benjamin Franklin:

In 1736 I lost one of my sons, a fine boy of four years old, by the small-pox, taken in the common way. I long regretted bitterly, and still regret that I had not given it to him by inoculation. This I mention for the sake of parents who omit that operation, on the supposition that they should never forgive themselves if a child died under it; my example showing that the regret may be the same either way, and that, therefore, the safer should be chosen.

[PamNY]

I'm not sayin' who I work for but someone once mailed a bill to my employer addressed only with our slogan "no job is so urgent, no service so important that we can not afford to do our job safely" and it got here.

Ha! I used to work for them too; haven't thought of that slogan in years.

Pam

[shootingstar]

Well, this must be the new protocol in some organizations: no handshaking at all.

Happened today at meeting where I met 3 people. One of the individuals apologized ..several times in advance, and clearly told me because of H1N1 scare.

This was not a health care organization.

[Zen]

Well, this must be the new protocol in some organizations: no handshaking at all.

I think that's a fine idea. After all, you have no idea where my hands have been

[Cataboo]

my dad has leukemia and taking chemo which has left him with virtually no immune system to speak of.

He's already gotten his shot, so I'm glad about that. I'm still sitting on the fence in regards to my taking the H1N1. I won't bother with the seasonal flu vaccine, as I just never do, but I'm a bit weary of the H1N1 simply because I would hate it to mutate like it did in 1918 and kill the young and healthy.

I also admit that, although this is a very rare side effect, I do worry about adverse effects of the shots:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mh5F5wP8RdU

With no immune system to speak of - the leukemia & the chemo, chances are the h1n1 shot is not going to be effective for your father and he didn't build up immunity to it.

If you have the chance to get the vaccine & the normal flu vaccine, I'd suggest you might want to do it - just because it'd suck if you gave him the flu. I know my father's oncologist recommended the entire family get it when he was on chemo.

[lph]

I think that's a fine idea. After all, you have no idea where my hands have been

Not to mention that dude with the knuckle tattoos.

[shootingstar]

my dad has leukemia and taking chemo which has left him with virtually no immune system to speak of.

He's already gotten his shot, so I'm glad about that. I'm still sitting on the fence in regards to my taking the H1N1. I won't bother with the seasonal flu vaccine, as I just never do, but I'm a bit weary of the H1N1 simply because I would hate it to mutate like it did in 1918 and kill the young and healthy.

I'm very sorry about this, badger. I wasn't aware of this at all.

[Trek420]

I think that's a fine idea. After all, you have no idea where my hands have been

I think we here in the West also adapt the tradition of bowing when we meet. Shows respect rather than being from a tradition of "look, I don't have a sword" and much more sanitary.

[KnottedYet]

I think we here in the West also adapt the tradition of bowing when we meet. Shows respect rather than being from a tradition of "look, I don't have a sword" and much more sanitary.

I see that often among the male doctors. Kind of an abbreviated bow, or an exaggerated nod. Female docs seem to all shake hands.

[indigoiis]

A second 12 year old, this one in Lincoln RI, died yesterday; they are not sure if she had Swine flu but she was at Hasbro with flu like symptoms.

[KnottedYet]

Hmmm... sore throat, runny nose, red dry eyes (I look like Dracula!), headache, fatigue... but no fever.

Whatever I've got, I'm staying home today.

[Trek420]

Good idea. Have some chicken soup

[OakLeaf]

Ruh roh. Feel better soon Knott.