flu shot poll - Page 3

[BeckyBird]

I voted, but my first choice of "HELL NO" was not in the poll!

Will have to settle for a simple "no" instead

[srossworm]

NO flu shots, but instead....Natural Remedies for preventing the flu

· Colloidal Silver --Possibly one of the most important medical roles for colloidal silver is it's ability to destroy pandemic flu viruses and deadly pathogens like methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA. Colloidal silver not only stops bacteria and the flu virus in its tracks after being infected, but protects against contagion. Take colloidal silver prophylactically as soon as you experience the first symptoms of illness to ward off a full-blown attack. Prophylactic treatment involves adults taking a teaspoon or two daily during flu season. Children can take one-half to one teaspoon daily depending on age and weight.?

· Influenzinum nosode -- Taken in low potency such as 9C or 12C used once a month during flu season, homeopathic Influenzinum will prevent the flu and flu-like viruses. Mix one pellet in four ounces of water and sniff. Don't inhale the water. This is called an olfactory dose and helps prevent side effects. Influenzinum is only available from your homeopath or a homeopathic pharmacy.

· Oscillococcinum -- Homeopathic Oscillococcinum also prevents flu from taking a foothold. If you know you've been exposed or at the first sign of symptoms, dissolve a pellet in the same manner as mentioned above and sniff the remedy once or twice a day for three days to boost your immune system. Shortens the duration of the flu for some people. Available at all stores that sell homeopathic remedies.

· Garlic tea -- A well-known immune system strengthener, garlic shines as an antibacterial and antiviral for fighting colds, coughs and especially the flu. One of the best ways to take advantage of garlic's healing properties is by drinking fresh garlic tea sweetened with a little raw honey

 

Home remedies for treating the flu

· Chicken soup -- Take advantage of the high antioxidant properties and nutrients to fight the flu by eating lots of chicken soup. and antibiotics that are not recommended for well being. In addition to vitamins and minerals found in vegetables, bone broth made by cooking chicken home-made is a strong immune system builder and provides numerous trace minerals to support healing. Use organic chicken and vegetables to obtain the best of the nutrients provided.

· Mullein -- Tea made from the herb Mullein relieves chest congestion from coughs, colds and the flu. It acts as an expectorant, loosening trapped mucous in airways and soothing painful sore throats. Mullein supports the immune system as well, during the flu and may be used prophylactically to prevent flu by drinking the tea daily during an epidemic.

· Gelsemium -- Used to alleviate general flu symptoms, homeopathic Gelsemium is indicated for aches and pains, weakness, dizziness, shaking, occipital headache at the back of head and neck, drowsiness, paralysis, drooping eye lids.

· Belladonna -- Homeopathic Belladonna is indicated when the onset of flu illness is sudden and very intense, high fever, red face, pulsating veins and throbbing headache often worse on the right side, stiff neck, hot, glassy-eyed, delirious, lack of thirst.

· Bryonia -- Bone and muscle pain made worse from any motion indicates homeopathic Bryonia along with other symptoms such as chills, fever, headache, thirst for large quantities of cold water, painful cough, dryness of mucus membranes.

· Eupatorium perfoliatum -- Symptoms look similar to Bryonia with intense body aches, high fever, cough and terrible chills running up the back. The difference is the person needing Eupatorium will be restless and change position frequently, whereas Bryonia prefers no movement at all.

Homeopathic Pharmacy List:
Resource list: Find qualified homeopathic practitioners and reliable long-distance homeopathic pharmacies for hard-to-find remedies
http://www.naturalnews.com

Sources for this article include:

http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/phytochemicals/garlic/
http://www.health911.com/remedies/rem_coughs.htm
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/cough-000042.htm
http://ygoy.com
http://www.naturalnews.com/026156_flu_natural_the.html
http://www.holisticonline.com/remedies/flu/flu_homeopathy.htm
Boericke, William; Materia Medica and Repertory; Jain Publishing, 1998


Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/038689_flu_pandemic_home_remedies_influenza.html#ixzz2I3T6Fbn7

[Dee68]

We requested the flu mist for our son.  It is reported to be free of thimerosal.

[fruitfulmomma]

I am with Becky... my 6 children have not had a single vaccine and as far as I know have never had the flu or any other vpd. I may have had the flu once or twice but never been tested, so who knows since most flu-type syptoms reported aren't actually influenza.

[gardenersuz]

My 5 year old received the nasal flu vaccine because we have an infant in the house, he has never gotten the shot only the nasal one.  I got the stomach bug AND the flu at the same time just before Christmas (I did not get the vaccine)  It was BAD and I ended up with pneumonia.  Thankfully because I breastfeed my 5 month old baby weathered the storm gracefully (at least as far as the viruses go).  Neither my son nor my husband got it, possibly because I could hardly get out of bed.  There is no right or wrong, only what is right for you and your comfort level.  Good luck and remember to wash your hands, hand sanitizer does NOT work!

[janhunt]

After thoroughly researching this question, we always get a flu shot, specifying mercury-free.

As John Ruskin wrote, "The work of science is to substitute facts for appearances, and demonstrations for impressions." Appearances and impressions may seem convincing, but if they don't stand up to scientific scrutiny, they have no validity. Like Dr. Sears, I am pro-vaccine and pro-information. See "Dr. Robert Sears Takes on Both Sides of the Vaccination Debate" at http://www.ocweekly.com/2012-08-09/news/doctor-robert-sears-vaccine-debate/ for a sane discussion of this topic. An alternative lifestyle shouldn't mean that science is thrown out the window! As Thomas Huxley wrote, "Science is nothing but trained and organized common sense."

I wish this poll had started with a neutral question instead of linking to a negative article. That kind of beginning has almost certainly skewed the results.

[kathymuggle]

Originally Posted by janhunt 

I wish this poll had started with a neutral question instead of linking to a negative article. That kind of beginning has almost certainly skewed the results.

I doubt it.  A lot of people who answered probably did not even read the link - they just voted.  The flu vaccine does not seem very popular here

[Annalisa]

We went ahead and got the (preservative-free) vaccination yesterday.  It was not an easy choice.  I am grateful that we have vaccines for diseases that permanently affect mobility, vision and hearing, like polio and smallpox.  But that doesn't mean I accept all vaccines.  The flu shot is a difficult decision every time.

When ever I'm trying to make the choice, I think of a conversation I had with a woman who was visiting from Japan some years ago, when dd was a baby.  She had a daughter the same age, and was surprised it was an issue for me.  She said that despite the risks and possible lack of effectiveness, we get the flu shot to protect our elders.  To her it was simply irresponsible to walk around with your self or your child carrying a possibly preventable flu when you'll be meeting people in stores and restaurants who may actually die if they get it.  To her it was a brave thing we do to protect others, despite the risk of personal harm to ourselves and our children.  

There are reasons this argument does not fully convince me.  I feel like we just don't have all the information.  For instance, what is the ratio to children harmed vs. elderly people saved?  In places that have high percentages of vaccination, do fewer elders die?  I'm terribly, agonizingly sorry for the parent who reported the bad reaction in her child, something I have long feared.  I also realize the parent of one of the "20 pediatric deaths" could post something equally agonizing.  How many bad reactions are there compared to people saved?  There I always am, back at the beginning of my argument again.  Maybe I should get it.  Maybe I mustn't.

Since I didn't see this line of reasoning stated here in this forum, I decided to mention it.  The only thing I can think of is the generally good advice to make decisions out of love and not fear.  But this advice is maybe not that helpful.  And each year I dread this decision.

[serenbat]

Quote:

There are reasons this argument does not fully convince me.  I feel like we just don't have all the information.  For instance, what is the ratio to children harmed vs. elderly people saved?  In places that have high percentages of vaccination, do fewer elders die?  I'm terribly, agonizingly sorry for the parent who reported the bad reaction in her child, something I have long feared.  I also realize the parent of one of the "20 pediatric deaths" could post something equally agonizing.  How many bad reactions are there compared to people saved?  

I also would really like to know this! AND I would like to know in facilities (nursing homes) with near 100% staff and residents vaced and very few children visiting, yet yearly they have to close due to "epidemic" levels of flu. Why in such a controlled group you end up with deaths.

[Rrrrrachel]

Honestly, the flu shot is something I dither over every year, too.

[prosciencemum]

I definitely think the advertising for the flu shot in the USA especially, but even here, has gotten over the top.

[C is for Cookie]

Originally Posted by prosciencemum 

I definitely think the advertising for the flu shot in the USA especially, but even here, has gotten over the top.

I agree. I hear and see it every second of every day in the news, the internet, or whenever I am shopping at cvs for example...

[BabySmurf]

Originally Posted by Annalisa 

We went ahead and got the (preservative-free) vaccination yesterday.  It was not an easy choice.  I am grateful that we have vaccines for diseases that permanently affect mobility, vision and hearing, like polio and smallpox.  But that doesn't mean I accept all vaccines.  The flu shot is a difficult decision every time.

When ever I'm trying to make the choice, I think of a conversation I had with a woman who was visiting from Japan some years ago, when dd was a baby.  She had a daughter the same age, and was surprised it was an issue for me.  She said that despite the risks and possible lack of effectiveness, we get the flu shot to protect our elders.  To her it was simply irresponsible to walk around with your self or your child carrying a possibly preventable flu when you'll be meeting people in stores and restaurants who may actually die if they get it.  To her it was a brave thing we do to protect others, despite the risk of personal harm to ourselves and our children.  

There are reasons this argument does not fully convince me.  I feel like we just don't have all the information.  For instance, what is the ratio to children harmed vs. elderly people saved?  In places that have high percentages of vaccination, do fewer elders die?  I'm terribly, agonizingly sorry for the parent who reported the bad reaction in her child, something I have long feared.  I also realize the parent of one of the "20 pediatric deaths" could post something equally agonizing.  How many bad reactions are there compared to people saved?  There I always am, back at the beginning of my argument again.  Maybe I should get it.  Maybe I mustn't.

I don't think that there will ever be a clear cut answer on this.  But I wonder, since the vaccines aren't 100% effective and even when it is successful, it is supposed to make the vaccinated person's body more capable of handling the flu, it doesn't make them impervious to it.  So vaccinated people can still transmit the flu, even if they are getting less sick, and maybe transmit it *more* often because they make the assumption that they don't have the flu? I have no idea if this makes sense, just something I was thinking about....

[Shanesmom]

I voted no.

As long as I am alive, me and my boys will not be injecting any kind of unknown substance into our bodies. That is why we have immune systems. That is why we take vitamins every single day. In fact, my boys have never had a single shot in their lives and they rarely get sick.

[moonjunio]

Originally Posted by Annalisa 

The only thing I can think of is the generally good advice to make decisions out of love and not fear.  But this advice is maybe not that helpful.  And each year I dread this decision.

With great love comes great fear <3 <3 I know I never really thought about protecting myself or others from illness before having kids, now it is the inspiration of much worry, research, waffling, and yes some degree of fear.

After reading The Vaccine Book by Dr Sears 5 years ago, I decided the flu shot was not worth further consideration because compared to the other diseases, it seemed pretty mild. However my dad got worried by the news this year and encouraged me to consider it. I read that the H3N2 virus this year is quite nasty, and the flu shot this year does contain H3N2, so at least they guessed right and it could do some good.

So, I went to the doctor today, ready to be talked into the shot (mercury free only of course) if he thought it might be important. What I love about my doc is that he really respects parents sense and decisions. Basically he said that he likes the flu shot, gets it himself, but nothing he said indicated concern for this year in particular. Maybe we are just lucky to be in California where it isn't bad yet, but if my doc is not worried enough to get off the fence and pick a side, then I will gladly refuse the flu shot. Results may vary in your area...

If you are thinking of getting the shot, then you should probably do it now, because it takes 2 weeks to work, and first timer young kids might need a second dose I believe.

I did pick up some colloidal silver as advised earlier in this thread, there are a lot of great immunity building tips in this thread.

[emmy526]

Quote:

When ever I'm trying to make the choice, I think of a conversation I had with a woman who was visiting from Japan some years ago, when dd was a baby.  She had a daughter the same age, and was surprised it was an issue for me.  She said that despite the risks and possible lack of effectiveness, we get the flu shot to protect our elders.  To her it was simply irresponsible to walk around with your self or your child carrying a possibly preventable flu when you'll be meeting people in stores and restaurants who may actually die if they get it.  To her it was a brave thing we do to protect others, despite the risk of personal harm to ourselves and our children.  

and despite having the vaccine, a person can still pass the flu virus  on to others via physical contamination of objects, such as door handles, telephones, pcs,  any hard inanimate surface where germs can put on a coat and protect themselves, til the  temp is right to take it off, and reproduce all over again.  

[prosciencemum]

Originally Posted by emmy526 

and despite having the vaccine, a person can still pass the flu virus  on to others via physical contamination of objects, such as door handles, telephones, pcs,  any hard inanimate surface where germs can put on a coat and protect themselves, til the  temp is right to take it off, and reproduce all over again.  

Right. So the best protection is the flu vaccine plus all the common sense stuff about hand washing, sneezing into your elbow and bolstering your immune system by eating healthily and making sure to get enough vitamins. :) Doesn't have to be one or the other.

[kathymuggle]

Originally Posted by prosciencemum 

Right. So the best protection is the flu vaccine plus all the common sense stuff about hand washing, sneezing into your elbow and bolstering your immune system by eating healthily and making sure to get enough vitamins. :) Doesn't have to be one or the other.

This is only true if the flu vaccine has no side effects.  When a vaccine has side effects (and they all do) questions of efficacy, course of disease, etc come into play. Common sense stuff such as washing your hand and getting enough sleep have no side effects.

[Mirzam]

Flu shots linked to heart damaging inflammation, compromised pregnancy, and harm to infants.

Inflammation-related effects of adjuvant influenza A Vaccination on platelet activation and cardiac autonomic function 

Inflammatory responses to trivalent influenza virus among pregnant women

[CleoS]

Originally Posted by Annalisa 

We went ahead and got the (preservative-free) vaccination yesterday.  It was not an easy choice.  I am grateful that we have vaccines for diseases that permanently affect mobility, vision and hearing, like polio and smallpox.  But that doesn't mean I accept all vaccines.  The flu shot is a difficult decision every time.

When ever I'm trying to make the choice, I think of a conversation I had with a woman who was visiting from Japan some years ago, when dd was a baby.  She had a daughter the same age, and was surprised it was an issue for me.  She said that despite the risks and possible lack of effectiveness, we get the flu shot to protect our elders.  To her it was simply irresponsible to walk around with your self or your child carrying a possibly preventable flu when you'll be meeting people in stores and restaurants who may actually die if they get it.  To her it was a brave thing we do to protect others, despite the risk of personal harm to ourselves and our children.  

There are reasons this argument does not fully convince me.  I feel like we just don't have all the information.  For instance, what is the ratio to children harmed vs. elderly people saved?  In places that have high percentages of vaccination, do fewer elders die?  I'm terribly, agonizingly sorry for the parent who reported the bad reaction in her child, something I have long feared.  I also realize the parent of one of the "20 pediatric deaths" could post something equally agonizing.  How many bad reactions are there compared to people saved?  There I always am, back at the beginning of my argument again.  Maybe I should get it.  Maybe I mustn't.

Since I didn't see this line of reasoning stated here in this forum, I decided to mention it.  The only thing I can think of is the generally good advice to make decisions out of love and not fear.  But this advice is maybe not that helpful.  And each year I dread this decision.

Yes, this is me. My 3 kids got the shot since 2 of them are in school and my DS is only 2. It was a hard decision and I worried about it, but overall I do feel relieved they got it since no matter how much I tell them to wash their hands at school 5 and 7 year old boys just don't find it that important!