Not sure if this the right forum.
Ok ... so I'm trying to gather info for what scientisits are predicting the 2010-2011 flu season to be like. Typically, where I live, the flu season doesn't start picking up until Jan-March. Last year by November it seemed like it had already come through here (h1N1). I have not had a flu shot since 2002. I normally would never consider getting one but I'm slightly concerned because, although we were all sick a lot last fall and winter (I mean monthly I had some virus/infection and the kids were more sick than normal, as well) none of us were vaccinated against H1N1. Well, now I'll be in the 3rd trimester in Sept, Oct. and Nov. I'm not sure if I should be concerned. Does anyone know if there are predictions out yet for when the flu season will begin? I also have hypothyroidism which I'm not sure is an autoimmune condition or not. They never found antibodies, but I was told it doesn't rule out autoimmune thyroiditis. So, that has detered me from getting the shot but I'm wondering if it would be safer to get during pregnancy. Also, I have asthma, so I'm at a higher risk for complications of getting the flu. I got the shot in 2002 when I was 28 weeks pg and my son was born with autism and brain damage. The shot did have mercury in it (had no idea about that back then) and I also had rhogham at the time it still had mercury during the same week of pregnancy. I would only consider getting a flu shot without mercury. I would rather not get it at all if the flu season is supposed to like normal. I have the option, I think, of getting last year's H1N1 shot or waiting until they get shipments of the new shot -- which might be in the last month of pregnancy. Any thoughts? I know that was a lot of info -- I'm probably overthinking this. Thanks for your help.
Ok ... so I'm trying to gather info for what scientisits are predicting the 2010-2011 flu season to be like. Typically, where I live, the flu season doesn't start picking up until Jan-March. Last year by November it seemed like it had already come through here (h1N1). I have not had a flu shot since 2002. I normally would never consider getting one but I'm slightly concerned because, although we were all sick a lot last fall and winter (I mean monthly I had some virus/infection and the kids were more sick than normal, as well) none of us were vaccinated against H1N1. Well, now I'll be in the 3rd trimester in Sept, Oct. and Nov. I'm not sure if I should be concerned. Does anyone know if there are predictions out yet for when the flu season will begin? I also have hypothyroidism which I'm not sure is an autoimmune condition or not. They never found antibodies, but I was told it doesn't rule out autoimmune thyroiditis. So, that has detered me from getting the shot but I'm wondering if it would be safer to get during pregnancy. Also, I have asthma, so I'm at a higher risk for complications of getting the flu. I got the shot in 2002 when I was 28 weeks pg and my son was born with autism and brain damage. The shot did have mercury in it (had no idea about that back then) and I also had rhogham at the time it still had mercury during the same week of pregnancy. I would only consider getting a flu shot without mercury. I would rather not get it at all if the flu season is supposed to like normal. I have the option, I think, of getting last year's H1N1 shot or waiting until they get shipments of the new shot -- which might be in the last month of pregnancy. Any thoughts? I know that was a lot of info -- I'm probably overthinking this. Thanks for your help.
