Have you had your Flu shot?

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BrentB

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Short story:
Flu (influenza virus) activity has increased in US

If you have not had your flu shot if is not too late to be vaccinated.

Stop here and have a great day and better tomorrow


Long story ( .....with my PH hat on)

Key Flu Indicators
According to this week's FluView report, flu activity is increasing in parts of the country and following an upward trend nationally. Anyone 6 months and older who has not gotten a flu vaccine yet this season should get one now. Below is a summary of the key indicators for the week of December 1-7, 2013:

•For the week of December 1-7, the proportion of people seeing their health care provider for influenza-like illness (ILI) increased, and is now slightly above the national baseline. Three regions reported ILI activity above their region-specific baseline level. The other seven regions reported activity levels below region-specific baselines.
•Four states (Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas) experienced high ILI activity this week; an increase from two states in the previous week. Five states (Arkansas, Colorado, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Utah) experienced low ILI activity. Forty-one states experienced minimal ILI activity. The District of Columbia did not have sufficient data to calculate an activity level. ILI activity data indicate the amount of flu-like illness that is occurring in each state.
•Fourteen states reported regional geographic influenza activity; an increase from six jurisdictions in the previous week. Thirteen states reported local activity. This is an increase from ten states last week. The District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and 27 states reported sporadic influenza activity. The U.S. Virgin Islands and one state (Vermont) reported no influenza activity. Geographic spread data show how many areas within a state or territory are seeing flu activity.
•Since October 1, 2013, 531 laboratory-confirmed influenza-associated hospitalizations have been reported. This translates to a cumulative rate of 2.0 hospitalizations per 100,000 people in the United States.
◦Hospitalization data are collected from 13 states and represent approximately 9% of the total U.S. population. The number of hospitalizations reported does not reflect the actual total number of influenza-associated hospitalizations in the United States.
•The proportion of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza (P&I) based on the 122 Cities Mortality Reporting System increased, but remains below the epidemic threshold.
•No influenza-associated pediatric deaths were reported to CDC during the week of December 1-7. A total of three influenza-associated pediatric deaths have been reported for the 2013-2014 season.
•Nationally, the percentage of respiratory specimens testing positive for influenza viruses in the United States during the week of December 1-7 increased for the seventh consecutive week from 11.1% to 13.3%. During the last three weeks, the regional percentage of respiratory specimens testing positive for influenza viruses ranged from 3.3% to 16.8%.
•Influenza A (H3N2), 2009 influenza A (H1N1), and influenza B viruses have all been identified in the U.S. this season. During the week of December 1-7, 780 of the 830 influenza-positive tests reported to CDC were influenza A viruses and 50 were influenza B viruses. Of the 395 influenza A viruses that were subtyped 3.5% were H3 viruses and 96.5% were 2009 H1N1 viruses.
•CDC has antigenically characterized 221 influenza viruses, including 184 2009 influenza A (H1N1) viruses, 31 influenza A (H3N2) viruses, and 6 influenza B virus, collected since October 1, 2013.
◦All 184 of the 2009 influenza A (H1N1) viruses tested were characterized as A/California/7/2009-like. This is the influenza A (H1N1) component of the Northern Hemisphere quadrivalent and trivalent vaccines for the 2013-2014 season.
◦All 31 of the influenza A (H3N2) viruses tested were characterized as Texas/50/2012-like. This is the influenza A (H3N2) component of the Northern Hemisphere quadrivalent and trivalent vaccines for the 2013-2014 season.
◦Two of the six influenza B viruses tested belonged to the B/Yamagata lineage of viruses, and were characterized as B/Massachusetts/02/2012-like. This is an influenza B component for the 2013-2014 Northern Hemisphere quadrivalent and trivalent influenza vaccines.
◦The four other influenza B viruses belonged to the B/Brisbane lineage of viruses, were characterized as B/Brisbane/60/2008-like. This is an influenza B component of the 2013-2014 Northern Hemisphere quadrivalent influenza vaccine.
•Since October 1, 2013, CDC has tested 395 2009 influenza A (H1N1), 55 influenza A (H3N2), and 13 influenza B virus samples for resistance to neuraminidase inhibitors. While the majority of the tested viruses showed susceptibility to the antiviral drugs oseltamivir and zanamivir, one additional 2009 H1N1 virus proved resistant to oseltamivir during the week of December 1-7, though the virus was sensitive to zanamivir. In total, seven 2009 H1N1 viruses have shown resistance to oseltamivir so far this season, though each of the viruses has been sensitive to zanamivir.
◦High levels of resistance to the adamantanes (amantadine and rimantadine) persist among 2009 influenza A (H1N1) and A (H3N2) viruses. Adamantanes are not effective against influenza B viruses.
FluView is available – and past issues are archived – on the CDC website.

see
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/summary.htm
 
Thanks Brent,

Also from CDC:

Traditional flu vaccines made to protect against three different flu viruses (called “trivalent” vaccines) are available. In addition, this season flu vaccines made to protect against four different flu viruses (called “quadrivalent” vaccines) also are available.
The trivalent flu vaccine protects against two influenza A viruses and an influenza B virus. The following trivalent flu vaccines are available:
Standard dose trivalent shots that are manufactured using virus grown in eggs. These are approved for people ages 6 months and older. There are different brands of this type of vaccine, and each is approved for different ages. However, there is a brand that is approved for children as young as 6 months old and up.
A standard dose trivalent shot containing virus grown in cell culture, which is approved for people 18 and older.
A standard dose trivalent shot that is egg-free, approved for people 18 through 49 years of age.
A high-dose trivalent shot, approved for people 65 and older.
A standard dose intradermal trivalent shot, which is injected into the skin instead of the muscle and uses a much smaller needle than the regular flu shot, approved for people 18 through 64 years of age.
The quadrivalent flu vaccine protects against two influenza A viruses and two influenza B viruses. The following quadrivalent flu vaccines are available:
A standard dose quadrivalent shot
A standard dose quadrivalent flu vaccine, given as a nasal spray, approved for healthy* people 2 through 49 years of age
Click to expand...

We got our high dose trivalent in Sept. There was a shortage of this earlier in the year. There seemed to be a bit earlier occurrence of the "Flu" this season.
 
Chester":332z7w0y said:
Got my first ever flu shot ever two days ago.
Click to expand...

I'm still a holdout.

I've not had the flu in 30+ years, and have routinely been closely exposed to those with it. Whether I'm genetically blessed or simply lucky and ignorant, I'm not gonna mess with that record of success.
 
Da Nag":29u5m21u said:
Chester":29u5m21u said:
Got my first ever flu shot ever two days ago.
Click to expand...

I'm still a holdout.

I've not had the flu in 30+ years, and have routinely been closely exposed to those with it. Whether I'm genetically blessed or simply lucky and ignorant, I'm not gonna mess with that record of success.
Click to expand...

I had a friend who was a great guy. He was a product of the depression, fiercely independent. He loved to trap, fish, and hunt. He didn't believe in banks. He chain smoked and, when the subject came up, he would smile and say something like "I've smoked all my life and will till the day I die". When he died, of lung cancer, his daughter got all the traps and fishing gear. His son got his mattress and, with what was inside, bought a boat and a house at the shore.
 
Not this year, but I will. I have asthma so my doc recommends it. Meredith has to get it as her employer, Providence, makes it mandatory.
 
chromer":1ovzis7f said:
Now is a good time. Any earlier and it could wear off for spring coverage
Click to expand...
CDC recommends September flue vaccination. It takes 1 to 2 weeks to develop immunity, and there are good indicators that this immunity lasts well thru the flue season, even in the elderly.
 
I'm going to pretend the question proposed in this thread can handle a wider range of opinions on the subject...(though doubtful based on past attempts)

http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspect ... -h1n1-risk

http://www.naturalnews.com/039013_flu_v ... _GMOs.html

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/artic ... posed.aspx

Respectfully as possible: If the thought "is the pharmaceutical industry a trustworthy enough industry to roll up my sleeve and literally allow them to inject God knows what into my body?" is there anything you'll give a second thought to?
 
Yes, JoLee & I have have had the vaccine this year & every year for at least the last 20. I've read a lot about the pros & cons of the vaccine & have no doubt about the benefit being higher than the risk for me.

I'll leave it for the scientist here to debate if they care to, the information given in Mile's references & I know many including friends & relatives of mine, who would fully agree with him on the flu & the harm vs good of it & the other vaccines & the negative aspect of the money involved. Personally I'm happy for all who did make money out of the vaccines developed & made available for the protection against the diseases that killed so many children & others in the past & one thing absolutely certain to me is very few of the dedicated Research Scientist involved in their development made near what they deserved from this work.

Jay
 
localboy":1dbteyhc said:
Not this year, but I will. I have asthma so my doc recommends it. Meredith has to get it as her employer, Providence, makes it mandatory.
Click to expand...

Like Meredith, with my former occupation, it was a requirement. Since I retired, I've continued the tradition and am still alive. It seems that every year I still suffer through at least one horrendous bout of flu (?) and I always say, "I'm certainly glad I received the flu vaccine, because had I not I'd most surely be dead!" :mrgreen:

(It doesn't help that my wife is a school nurse and is exposed to every ailment known to mankind via those very active elementary school children and they try to hitch rides home to me via her. :crook )
 
We were at the daughter's house for our combined thanksgiving/Xmas. She keeps the quadrivalent vaccine on hand so we had the innoculation from her. No reaction for me, but her mother complained of a sore arm for a few days.
Like many docs constantly exposed to ill/infected/coughing patients - from the common cold to TB and HIV - I bought into the mind set that I am ten feet tall and bullet proof. And mostly I was, but about once per 5 years I would get one of the influenza viruses (not necessarily the "flu") and be so ill that I needed help to get out of bed for another bout of diarrhea.
I finally took off my country doctor hat and put my university trained scientist hat back on and decided to take my own advice. Started taking the annual flu vaccine we offered our employees and our patients and so far (knock knock) I have dodged the cough/vomit/poop until you die type illness :thup I do wait until late November to take the vaccine so that I have adequate carry over for the late breaking wave that washes over the country in the spring.

We have taken the Shingles Vaccine - having had Varicella Zoster as children and having treated chronic shingles in the elderly we want all the prophylaxis we can get.
We have declined the Small Pox vaccine they are now recommending for us old farts. Both of us had the inoculation in the early 40's and have the scars. I have read articles suggesting that our immunity has waned. Not sure of that and not willing to risk a hypersensitivity reaction we are declining re-vaccination.
OK, that's enough depressing medical ruminations. Back to taking the Port sports rack off because the mounting bolts are leaking rain and staining the mouse fur (arrrgh)
 
If I worked for, or in, the research, manufacturing, distributing, storage or treatment industry involved in the 'flu' or it's vaccine, most likely I would recommend getting it. But I don't.

I know I've had the flu but I cannot remember when. It has been a long, long time. I do not get vaccinated for it. I do know some who get flu-like symptoms are not getting the flu. They may be showing symptoms of hepatitis B or C or maybe something else.

So, what do we do? My thoughts are we all make decisions which, to some degree, have a bearing on our final outcome. And, sadly, the truth is often allusive. My annoyance is attempting to convince others to do things based on fear.

I feel better now.

Aye.
 
The following is a list of some of the very nasty side effects that the vaccine package insert admits to…..

*Local injection site reactions (including pain, pain limiting limb movement, redness, swelling, warmth, ecchymosis, induration)
*Hot flashes/flushes
*Chills
*Fever
*Malaise
*Shivering
*Fatigue
*Asthenia
*Facial edema.
*Immune system disorders
*Hypersensitivity reactions (including throat and/or mouth edema)
*In rare cases, hypersensitivity reactions have lead to anaphylactic shock and death
*Cardiovascular disorders
*Vasculitis (in rare cases with transient renal involvement)
*Syncope shortly after vaccination
*Digestive disorders
*Diarrhea
*Nausea
*Vomiting
*Abdominal pain.
*Blood and lymphatic disorders
*Local lymphadenopathy
*Transient thrombocytopenia.
*Metabolic and nutritional disorders
*Loss of appetite.
*Arthralgia
*Myalgia
*Myasthenia
*Nervous system disorders
*Headache
*Dizziness
*Neuralgia
*Paraesthesia
*Febrile convulsions
*Guillain-Barré Syndrome
*Myelitis (including encephalomyelitis and transverse myelitis)
*Neuropathy (including neuritis)
*Paralysis (including Bell’s Palsy)
*Respiratory disorders
*Dyspnea
*Chest pain
*Cough
*Pharyngitis
*Rhinitis
*Stevens-Johnson syndrome
*Pruritus
*Urticaria
*Rash (including non-specific, maculopapular, and vesiculobulbous).

Most of the pharmaceutical giants manufacturing the flu shot have their beginnings in Nazi Germany:

http://www.naturalnews.com/036062_vacci ... ments.html
 
Milesandmiles anything you put into your body will have some consequences/side effects, whether it be medicine, alcohol, food....

I suspect that the long list of possibilities is tort driven. Lawyers and law suits make the world go round and adversely affect what you pay for medical care more than hospitals, doctors or nurses etc (contrary to what Mr Owebama will tell you; but then he IS a lawyer).

The risks posed by vaccinations are extremely remote when compared to the risks the disease can cause to those with compromised systems. The vaccine my wife had this year was different; it was sub-dermal vs intro-muscular like it has been. She did tell me it itched and I could see a slight reddening of the skin at the injection site about 1" wide, but beyond that, nothing.

Whether you choose to get one is up to you. As I said, I have a compromised respiratory system due to my asthma and my doctor recommends it yearly. I trust him and will be getting one today. Also, in my line of work, I deal with....let's just say, not the most impressive of human beings...so I protect myself any way possible, whether is be latex gloves, masks, body armor or vaccines.
 
accination should begin soon after vaccine becomes available, ideally by October. However, as long as flu viruses are circulating, vaccination should continue to be offered throughout the flu season, even in January or later. While seasonal influenza outbreaks can happen as early as October, most of the time influenza activity peaks in January or later. Since it takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body that protect against influenza virus infection, it is best that people get vaccinated so they are protected before influenza begins spreading in their community


Here is the cuurent as of this posting
http://gis.cdc.gov/grasp/fluview/main.html

high flu activity in Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi as Dec 14

CDC has a wonderful service

he Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is happy to offer a free email subscription service, which allows CDC.gov users to receive alerts by e-mail when new information is available. With a subscription profile, you get the updated information on the items of interest to you automatically without having to return to the Web site and check for changes.

This is a free service provided by the CDC. Your email address will only be used to deliver the requested information or to give you access to your user profile.

http://www.cdc.gov/Other/emailupdates/
 
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