Believe it or not, we’re still only in the middle of flu season. With the H1N1 flu hitting early, this may be a flu season that just seems to go on forever. Since arriving in the US in April the H1N1 flu has killed nearly 10,000 Americans, including 1,100 children and 7,500 younger adults, and infected one in six people (between April and November 14 there had been nearly 50 million cases). The good news is vaccine availability is on the rise. In fact, 12 million more doses will be available this week and a large part of that should be now available to the general public. Getting the H1N1 vaccine is the best way to protect oneself from H1N1 infection. Unlike the seasonal flu vaccine, which protects from what we think will be the most prevalent strains of the current season, we know exactly what we’re dealing with in regards to the H1N1 strain, so the vaccination is formulated to target it specifically. Getting the vaccination also protects those around you since it decreases the number of people who can catch H1N1 and go on to spread it, a concept called herd immunity. [via MedlinePlus]
Go to the Guide To H1N1 Flu.
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Tags: flu, H1N1, influenza, seasonal flu, Swine flu, vaccination, vaccine
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Dr. Steven Chang, the author of DailyDose, is a staff physician with Kosmix RightHealth. Dr. Chang practices Family Medicine at the University of California Davis Medical Center, where his medical interests include both pediatric and geriatric care, public health, gay and lesbian health, and sleep medicine. Dr. Chang trained at the Stanford University affiliated O'Connor Hospital, and was a research fellow at the National Institute of Health. He holds an M.D. from McGill University and a BA in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University.
December 14th, 2009 at 7:31 am
Thanks, but no thanks. I’d rather take my chances on not getting the flu rather on a untested vaccine that already has a track record of causing death in pregnant women Gullian Bar Syndrome, and comrpomising the immune system of millions around the world.
December 14th, 2009 at 7:43 am
Bad batch proves shots not safe
Let’s stop pretending: There’s no way in hog heaven these swine flu vaccines are safe.
Need more proof? Look north – at least one Canadian is dead and dozens of others are recovering from severe allergic reactions to the vaccine.
Many of those cases were linked to GlaxoSmithKline’s Arepanrix swine flu vaccine, which prompted a recall of 172,000 doses. But by the time word got out, all but 15,000 had been used.
If you already rolled up your sleeve in Canada – too bad. Just be glad you’re still alive to read about it.
Plenty of victims have suffered from anaphylaxis, a potentially deadly reaction that includes breathing problems, low blood pressure and swelling of the throat, tongue, lips and eyes.
Arepanrix appears to be especially bad — even by the low standards of poorly tested swine flu vaccines. GlaxoSmithKline’s own data shows that more that 1 in 10 patients experience pain, headache, fatigue, swelling, shivering, sweating, aching muscles and joint pain. And 1 in 10 will develop diarrhea, swollen lymph nodes, fever, feeling sick, bruising and itching.
We’re facing a pandemic all right – but it’s not from the flu. If they succeed in poking everyone, the real health crisis will come from all those bad drug reactions.
Recently, I told you about the patients who developed Guillain-Barre syndrome after their swine flu shots, and some people who even keeled over after getting these “safe” vaccines. Click here to read “Swine flu swindle in full swing.”
I mean c’mon – they’re playing us for saps, and we’re falling for it. So far, 22 million Americans have been conned into lining up for these dangerous needles like parents camped out at a store for a hot Christmas toy.
But at least we know the crummy economy won’t dampen the holiday spirits of one group of elites living high on the hog: Big Pharma fat cats and their accomplice docs who distribute these shots like candy canes at a Christmas party.
Merry Christmas, and a $15 co-pay, please.
December 15th, 2009 at 9:11 am
I think that Biotin and Niacin and physical therapy is a good
treatment for cronic headaches.
December 15th, 2009 at 9:28 am
Ken123…you are absolutely right!!! The H1N1 vaccine is a HUGE SCAM intended to lower our immune systems, all the while lining the pockets of BIG PHARMA, at our expense. People, do your research…there is absolutely no excuse with all the information on the Internet. Take control of your lives…don’t be lead around like SHEEPLE. Read a book called “Cancer, Step Outside The Box by Ty Bollinger. It’s a real EYE OPENER.
December 17th, 2009 at 7:14 am
I have cronic headaches and I think super potancy Biotin, Niacin,
Garlic, anxiety medication, physical therapy and low potancy b6
and b12 helps a lot.