Pugsley: aka, the Sausage.
Lori: Loves Pugs. Writing. Food and Fashion.
« I knew I never should have.... | Main | fall »
With all these nasty bugs going around (Swine, H1N1, MRSA) I've been debating for the first time in my adult life actually getting a vaccine.
I know many will disagree but in general I'm against vaccinations unless you are among the: sick or elderly, are a pregnant women, child, have a weakened immune system, or happen to work in the health care system. And even then I think one needs to be careful.
I feel like if you're a generally healthy adult it may just be asking for more trouble. I personally don't like the idea of being injected with foreign strains and antibodies. My belief is supported by the fact that everyone I know who gets a flu shot ends up getting sick a week or two later....a coincidence?
Then you hear stories like this one - about a Cheerleader who got the flu shot and just 10 days later she can now only walk backwards and has suffered severe and permanent neurological damage. Very very sad.
So as I watch everyone around me scampering to their nearest clinic where flu shots are sold out I think I'm going to skip it and take my chances. Instead I'll just be even more diligent about layering on the antibacterial hand sanitizer every chance I get: after touching door handles, shopping carts, gas pumps, elevator buttons, public transportation, anything that may have come in contact with someone else's hands or bodily secretions.
Plus if I don't get one vaccine that leaves more for the people who do need the shot when it's already in short supply.
I'm curious to know what others are doing this year. Will you get the flu shot? What about the swine flu shot or H1N1 spray? There seems to be a lot of opinions on both sides.
On a side note, I recently found out that dogs can get MRSA from humans that are infected with it, and other dogs. Just an FYI.
Becky commented October 27, 2009 11:37 PM
Flu shot yes, H1N1 no thanks!! Meagan my daughter had the swine flu last week. So far I'm good! Besides I'm over 50 and they don't recommend it for those over 50, the H1N1 that is. Stay well my young friend! Some of those antigerm gels don't work well according to the news and articles I've read so be careful which one you use.
Neas Nuttiness commented October 28, 2009 12:02 AM
I got a flu shot yesterday - and I would get the H1N1 if I could get it.
I am a high risk case, but the H1N1 is only available to children in our area right now.
Mary commented October 28, 2009 7:13 AM
I am not getting the swine flu vaccination, although if I can find the FluMist foe seasonal flu, I will get that. I believe many of these vaccinations (injections) are causing harm to our children and pets.
jan commented October 28, 2009 7:55 AM
lori, i've only had one flu shot in my life, that was 1994, and that was the year i got meningitis and ended up with no feet. i know there is "probably" no connection to me taking the vaccine and ending up in a coma with bacterial meningitis, but i am so anti-flu shots that i will NEVER take another one.
my youngest son, ryan, is a pharmacist, he's telling his dad and brother, no way take the h1n1, take a flu shot, but avoid the h1n1 injection.
did we ask him, why not take it? no, we just trust his judgment.
Lex commented October 28, 2009 11:42 AM
My brother recenting had the h1n1/swine flu and so far no one else in my family has gotten in it (he lives at home with my parents and my sister). I don't know if I will get this new vaccine, I am abit weary of it.
I always get the regular flu shot since my grandmother and my other brother are somewhat immuno compromised so I don't want to risk bringing that home to them.
It is funny they are syaing the baby boomer generation has less chance of contracting the swine flu but I am not sure why.
MRSA is usually contracted in the hospitals or jails, it is a super bug and unfortunately mostly antibiotic proof and even worse is that there is no vaccine for it.
When my husband had his staph infection in his leg (a training injury) they gave him the strongest antibiotic on the market because of the area he works, he could have contracted MRSA.
Don't forget hand washing! Works even better then the antibacterial sprays and lotions.
(Sorry for the long post.. my mom is a nurse lol)
emily the biker pug commented October 28, 2009 4:47 PM
I would get the flu shot and pig flu shot too if it were available.
They have know for months that we needed it and all I hear is we did not order enough, go figure.
I have always had good luck when I got the flu shot.
The reason young people are more apt to get the flu is because they are much more sanitized than us old timers, we have been exposed to so much crap over the years we are more immune. Nowadays everyone is a germafobe, too much sanitizing kills all germs good and bad that is the problem.
Oh and think of this thought when you (or at least i do) go into a restaurant first we wash our hands then when the food comes we pick up the salt and pepper and god only knows the last time they were washed.
Carol Dance Party USA commented November 1, 2009 7:14 PM
Lori...since I got asthma I've gotten the shot every year and I've never gotten sick or had the flu afterwards. I did have the flu years ago and it took me down hard...I remember all too well how how I could barely move for days. I recommend. Good luck with your decision.
amber walters commented November 3, 2009 10:35 PM
No way! I never have and never will. I was recently asked to get it due to being around babies for my job, but I still said no. I do not trust it. Nothing will make me get vaccinated.