DH Active Duty Army & Flu Shot

[pjabslenz]

My dh informed me that in the next couple of weeks he will be receiving the "mandatory" flu shot. He is required to get one every year and always ends up sick for at least a week following. The kids and I boost our immune system, stay hydrated, eat well and get plenty of rest and have never had a flu shot.

I am interested in knowing what steps I can take to help boost dh's immune system prior to this shot. Is there anything he can take following the shot to help lessen the effect or detox his body from the other ingredients in the vax?

I plan to give him sodium ascorbate daily, as well as, echinacea/goldenseal drops. I believe I've heard that activated charcoal helps to detox the body from the effects of the vax.

He's unsure of what vax they are giving them but he did say it's not the flu mist this year. He will definitely be injected since he doesn't know how to avoid getting one.

TIA,
Janet

[Emmeline II]

Perhaps he could get the mist at an off base doctor and take the documentation to the clinic; other people have posted that their military SO's did this. I wouldn't "ask permission" ahead of time.

[nia82]

DH is AF and all they give at our base is the mist. He got it in 200i when they caught him off guard and got terribly sick from it, as roughly 1/3 of his squadron. Last year we rather got that paper from the med clinic to get the injected shot off base. He does way better with it and there is no risk of shedding, since the mist is a live virus vaccine btw. We will have him get it at an obgyns office this year to get a mercury free one.
I give him SA, vitamin D and little sugar during that week... also, we always wait it out, so usually around January is when they notice he didnt get it....

[HRJ]

Originally Posted by pjabslenz

My dh informed me that in the next couple of weeks he will be receiving the "mandatory" flu shot. He is required to get one every year and always ends up sick for at least a week following. The kids and I boost our immune system, stay hydrated, eat well and get plenty of rest and have never had a flu shot.

I am interested in knowing what steps I can take to help boost dh's immune system prior to this shot. Is there anything he can take following the shot to help lessen the effect or detox his body from the other ingredients in the vax?

I plan to give him sodium ascorbate daily, as well as, echinacea/goldenseal drops. I believe I've heard that activated charcoal helps to detox the body from the effects of the vax.

He's unsure of what vax they are giving them but he did say it's not the flu mist this year. He will definitely be injected since he doesn't know how to avoid getting one.

TIA,
Janet

I saw a video on Autism Research Institute once about what to give when doing a vaccine. They said Vitamin A, Vitamin C, garlic, and glutathione (I have heard mixed info on whether to do the glutathione cream or pills).

[pjabslenz]

Thanks all,

Dh did find out today that they are getting the mist. We are aware the mist is the live virus but he prefers it over the shot because he blows his nose after getting it. Anytime he receives the shot, he's been ill for days following. He's fighting a cold now so his plan is to request to reschedule when he's not sick. I'm not sure that will work for him but we'll see. I do plan to give him the vitamin A, vitamin C and garlic. I'll look into the glutathione.

Thanks again,
Janet

[nia82]

Hm, no, he cannot blow his nose. At our base, you have to remain 5 minutes with the nurse/tech who administers it who makes sure that you do not blow or rinse your nose at all.

[pjabslenz]

Dh has blown his nose upon receiving the flu mist at our past duty station. He's never had to wait but it's possible that with his past job and hectic schedule that they made an exception for him. Not sure, I only know what he's told me.

[Emmeline II]

I'd have him blow his nose as soon as he is able and provide him with a netti-pot (you can find them in the pharmacy section of most stores).

[pjabslenz]

Thanks Emmeline II,

He has a neti pot and I had just mentioned to him this morning that I thought maybe it could be beneficial for him to put it in his vehicle as he doesn't know what day he'll get the vax. I also have some Silver Shield gel & GSE nasal spray that he decided to start using now and plans to use for up to one week following the vax. I'm hoping he finds these measures to be beneficial.

[nia82]

Here they just tell you to go in sometime soon, to go to the clinic I mean. It is not by appointment or day. Anyways, last year they noticed that everyone would just blow and rinse their nose right away, which is why they instituted the 5 minute rule... I hope they haven't figured that out yet at your post. Good luck!

[marimara]

Just so you know my dh has been in the military for 14 years and has told me that taking Echinacea and/or goldenseal can make you pop positive for a drug test ( because alot of people take it to try to get rid of drugs in their system so they check for these markers too). So just be careful with that.

I would stick stick with vit. C, garlic, maybe astragalus.