Need advice about the H1N1 Vaccine - Page 4

cartera45 · 09-25-2009, 03:15 PM

The article says increased risk (perhaps) if a seasonal flu shot in the past - so this must mean past years, right? How strange if we learn that getting the flu shots in the last few years made us more vulnerable to H1N1.

intparent · 09-25-2009, 03:50 PM

Yes, I couldn't really tell if it just meant this year's regular flu shot, or previous years. Sample size of two in our house, D2 and I both have gotten regular shots for years, and we go H1N1.

Nrdsb4 · 09-25-2009, 04:33 PM

Quote:

The article says increased risk (perhaps) if a seasonal flu shot in the past - so this must mean past years, right? How strange if we learn that getting the flu shots in the last few years made us more vulnerable to H1N1.

Seeing that from a statistics standpoint, more people die of the regular flu, this makes it kind of confusing about whether or not to get the seasonal flu shot. I don't want to put myself or my family at increased risk of H1N1, but I've had the flu before and ended up in the ER feeling like I was dying. I've never gotten so sick in my life and the pain was almost unbearable. What to do, what to do...

mafool · 09-25-2009, 09:03 PM

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It's important to validate the information, which has not been peer reviewed, to make sure it's not just a fluke, and that the observation is confirmed elsewhere such as in the Southern Hemisphere, which just completed its seasonal flu season, or in the U.S. and UK.

I had my seasonal flu vacine last week. Fingers crossed.

BCEagle91 · 09-25-2009, 09:51 PM

The H1N1 (we're pretty sure though we weren't tested) passed through our household. I apparently had a mild cold before getting it. Daughter had it first for 2 weeks. Son got through it in 4 or 5 days. I've had it for about a week and I can function but the respiratory problems can have me coughing pretty hard. Good thing that I keep my abs in very good shape. My wife has had it for four or five days and she's in about the same shape that I am in. Sometimes I feel dead tired though that might be because of not enough rest. Getting a lot of sleep this weekend so I hope that I'll be back to normal in a few weeks.

I usually have one of these kinds of flu infections once every 7 to 10 years. They can take up to two months to completely clear.

NJres · 09-25-2009, 10:13 PM

I got a flu shot once... can't remember when. Must have been at least 30 years ago. Keeping my fingers crossed. I didn't know good abs helped fight the flu.

BCEagle91 · 09-25-2009, 10:15 PM

They don't fight the flu. They lessen the pain in your core when you cough and cough and cough. I've had bruising in the past (maybe around the ribs) from coughing when my abs weren't strong. Keeping them strong means you avoid further injury from the little explosions in your chest that are coughs.

Nrdsb4 · 09-26-2009, 11:32 AM

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They don't fight the flu. They lessen the pain in your core when you cough and cough and cough. I've had bruising in the past (maybe around the ribs) from coughing when my abs weren't strong. Keeping them strong means you avoid further injury from the little explosions in your chest that are coughs.

Strong abs also contribute to good deep coughing, which helps to clear secretions from the airways. People with a week cough reflex can end up with a secondary pneumonia.

I had bronchitis once and coughed so hard and so much that I tore the cartilage between some of my ribs. I had pain on that side for months and months afterwards!

intparent · 09-26-2009, 01:06 PM

The CDC says they aren't seeing this pattern, nor are other countries (but could Canada have a different pattern of who gets vaccinated for flu in a normal year than we do, given that the vaccine is probably covered under their medical system whereas in the US this is often not the case?). At least the CDC is looking at this now.

CDC Reports No Increased H1N1 Risk From Seasonal Flu Shot - ABC News

soveena · 10-16-2009, 10:25 AM

I just put in a call to my teen son's allergist regarding serum sickness and whether or not he should get the H1N1 vaccine (or others, for that matter). I should get an answer in the afternoon. However, I did come across two web pages that make me think you should be able to get a doctor's excuse from the vaccine, since serum sickness appears to have been possible reactions. The first link is from the fda: http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Biologi.../UCM182401.pdf Check out p.6 , section 6.3 allergic reactions....serum sickness
The second link is another source; I don't know how reliable it is, but it certainly gives much information that could be verified if one has the time. Second Link: http://www.mombu.com/medicine/allerg...27895-new.html I'll try to remember to come back and post the allergist's answer.

soveena · 10-19-2009, 11:33 AM

The well-regarded allergist/immunologist will not advise as to whether or not one should get the vaccine. He said one who has serum sickness is not at a greater risk than others, however, there is no guarantee that there wouldn't be a reaction. One with serum sickness could react badly to the virus itself. Both he and my son's pediatrician (who happens to be an internist too) say they do not have enough information about the vaccine to be able to recommend it, even though they are keeping up with information that has been disseminated. The allergist did say that the getting swine flu can be quite serious, as we all know.

percussiondad · 10-21-2009, 10:26 PM

thanks soveena, It is a serious decision either way