2012-2013 Flu Season Hits Hard

In health news, the 2012-2013 flu season is shaping up to be a rough one. The Detroit Free Press reports that yet another child has died in southwest Michigan from flu-related illness, bringing the number to three this year. Two adults have died from similar flu illnesses, and the number of cases in Michigan continues to rise. Despite this, I still urge caution when considering whether to get the flu shot or not. For all the hype about it, remember that it only protects against three strains and which ones will be virulent each year is hard to predict. Also, once vaccinated, you pretty much have to be vaccinated every year thereafter (that's from health care providers). Lastly, the best offense is a good defense. Eating healthy, taking care of yourself and your kids, keeping sick ones away from others, washing hands and covering your mouth--those are worth more than any vaccine. Michigan 2012-2013 Flu Shot Options

Skip the Winter Flu Vaccine with Vitamins, Herbs, Good Nutrition and Common Sense

In fall, everyone jumps on "flu shot" bandwagon, it seems. The FDA, CDC, doctors, schools and pharmacies breathe down our necks to get vaccinated, I feel like David against Goliath. I refuse the flu shot; I'd rather stay healthy with herbs, vitamins, supplements, good nutrition and common sense. Why would I not get the flu shot and have my children vaccinated? Several reasons: first, I don't submit to any unilateral dousing of drugs and I'm certainly not going to expose myself or my kids to a live strain of flu, when they've shown no reason to need it. Second, my husband discussed the flu vaccine with his employer's company nurse. She made a cogent point. Once a person has received the flu vaccine, they are likely to need it again every year from that time going forward. I'm not ready to start down that road and I'm certainly not subjecting my children to a possible lifetime "addiction" to the flu shot. When they are of age, they can make that decision.

There's also the concern that it only vaccinates against a few strains. It's a guessing games which ones will be prevalent. Also, my oldest daughter was wrongly give the H1N1 in 2009 when she was ALREADY ILL with it! She was deatlhy ill for weeks. Her doc later admitted they shouldn't have pushed it. Rather obvious to me and I'm only a lay person. From a medico, it's reprehensible.  Instead, I use these tips. read more