Swine flu conversations

Where do I even start? Sheesh. Well, I'll post where most of my info is coming from, and I guess that'll do ya.

The news went crazy on Swine Flu about a year ago. It never did go away all year, worldwide, but then again, it hasn't really killed that many people. The odd thing is, it's only killing young, mostly healthy people, though at first it seemed it was those with underlying conditions, like asthma, heart disease, or cancer. It seemed very overblown to me, and to a certain extent, it still does. Lots of people die from regular flu every year, and while flu shots are encouraged, they are by no means mandatory.

Now, I'm told by my OB that he has changed his mind, and I really should probably have the vaccine, since his 20 year old family friend's son just died of it, and there was nothing but nothing else wrong with him. Up til then, he was pretty skeptical. My regular doctor was skeptical too, til now. And a doctor friend of mine one year younger than I am is a bit freaked out when she sees healthy people in the ICU or worse.

It is a bad flu season. But now I'm told they aren't even testing for H1N1, which means that there's a pretty good chance that either the government will ignore the whole thing and hope everyone else does, too, or else they will say that every case of flu was swine flu, but they can't give real numbers, so ho hum. All of which gives no one ANY credibility if there ever really is a threat, and I'm not sure this time is it. But I totally trust my government. Can't you tell?

Now that I was convinced to take the shot, of course, it's not available, even though I'm first in line as a pregnant person. The doctors must be going nuts. "I convinced all these skeptics and now you tell me there isn't any vaccine?!?" Yeah, this is going well. Sure am glad my kids don't go to school this year. I'm sure we'd have it by now if they did.

Here is an article from ABC news. It states that perhaps H1N1 is not nearly so widespread as was reported. Notice this was not front page news. No, no, tabloid news makes the headlines every day, not this important stuff.

Here is the Wired Magazine article out this month which brings up the case for vaccination to keep the "herd" healthy, which, if you are a cancer patient or otherwise immunosuppressed, you will very likely agree with. If you do choose to forgo vaccines, I do know why. There are many facts and rumors circulating, and some of them are true. I don't blame anyone for just skipping it altogether, quite honestly. But that's not my personal choice, though I did skip about 18 mos. after a bad reaction in my oldest.

Here is a book I'm reading on the history of both vaccines and the arguments that continue to surround them:

I like the book because so far it hasn't been judgemental. My favorite part so far is about the very early "variolation" done on Americans by Cotton Mather. The funny thing is, it was the "crazy" religious people around Boston who supported his work, and the doctors and scientists who wanted to practically lynch him. But his work, despite his complete lack of understanding but innate curiosity, is what led to the complete extinction of smallpox. So interesting.


There. That should keep you busy! Now, stay healthy!