Flu Jabs

[hectic]

I am wondering if any of you out there agree with the following:- Flu jabs for elderly people should not be done as it only causing the virus to become stronger therefore when attacking young people they are finding it harder to cope with and in some cases even causing death!

[mullein]

if the elderly dont have the flu jab  ..and they get the flu it can some times turn to pneumonia and kill them..young people can get the flu jab if they suffer with asthma or other immune diseases..i havnt heard of any young person dieing with the flu..if you are worried about getting it start taking echinacea to build your immune system up,,,i wont be having the flu jab when i am older as i am entitled to say no i prefer herbal solutions...every year i believe we have a different flu strain some years its worse than others..we need a good cold spell of weather to kill the germs off,,,,mullein

[j2buttonsw]

How does the immunisation against a virus make it stronger? The answer: it doesn't. There are many variants of the flu virus: it mutates and another is born. The flu vaccination just immunises vulnerable people against a variant which may be common or prevalent. Next year it will be a different variant and so it goes on. The answer to you question: I don�t agree with the statement as it is wrong.

[Laura-sakura]

Dear J2buttond,  Why does something mutate and change? Because it isn't working anymore. The flu virus would not mutate if it did not need to overcome immunisation, it becomes stronger because we teach it to.

[RainbowBoy]

The  influenza injection given to elderly people is an immunisation.. This is where a tiny amount of the virus, or a genetically modified variant of the virus, designed to be harmless, is introduced to the body, where the immune system picks it up and fights it. It  then creates antibodies of the virus which will remain in the body forever waiting for the virus to try and re-infect. If the same virus infects the body, these will act like a key which disables the viruses abilty to multiply and harm the patient. It is the same principle as a child who has chickenpox once will not get it again.

I think the phenomenon you are referring to is the ability of viruses and, more commonly, bacterial infections to overcome the effects of antibiotics - man made and or naturally occuring antibodies such as penicillin. These, since their discovery, were heralded as wonder drugs and "a cure for all ills" which was true... until now.. after years of over prescription for easily treatable diseases and even use in the food industry to enhance meat yields from cattle, the diseases through their countless generations have mutated to create the so called "superbugs" diseases immune to antibiotics.. for example the hospital superbug MRSA.

So get your jab in before flu knocks you out. 

 

of your mobility scooter 

[j2buttonsw]

Laura-sakura, we do not cause the flu virus to mutate, it will do this regardless. We don't teach the virus anything. Your anthropomorphism is inappropriate.

[Greedyfly]

I have the flu jab every year otherwise I become very ill.

[Lindy Loo]

Maybe a virus does change slightly from year to year, but that wouldn't cause younger people coping less effectively.

 

It is Bacteria that can mutate and become immune to treatments due to the over prescribing of antibiotics and the current trend in anti-bacteria household products on the market. I think that is one of the biggest contributers to a lower immune system, as your body doesn't have the opportunity to develope it's own immunity to everyday germs. That and a 'junk food' diet that is currently enjoyed by many of  the young people today.

[FP]

I agree Anti bacterial products have a lot to answer for Lindy Loo.  People are obsessed with killing bacteria, not realising that they are lowering their immune systems by doing so.  A little dirt never did anybody any harm!

[nicola_red]

My mum (who's only 52) had a crippling bout of flu one year so the following year she decided to pay to get the jab to stop it happening again.  The doc told her it was largely pointless as they can only vaccinate against last year's strains and a new strain will come along every year and still get people.  Just a thought.

[smudge]

Although I'm only 57, some may still class me as an old person. However, two years ago, I had my first flu jab, but felt really unwell for a few days after having it done. I decided then, that if I ever did get the 'Flu', I would just have to suffer in silence, because there's no way I'm having another one!

[AB Editor]

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[FP]

Thanks Smudge.  I had my first flu jab ever today!!

[smudge]

Hi FP, congat's on your first Flu jab! You will probably be fine. My husband has them every year with no side affects - yet. He he!

[Cetti]

I had mine in October, and for the very first time felt so ill for about a week, but it was absolutely nothing compared to 3 years ago when  flu turned to pneumonia and nearly carried me off..!

So to everyone at risk have your jab, put up with the side effects (if you have any) - at least you will still be on earth.....

 

PS. Well done FP - you're a brave little girl ;-)

[smudge]

You sound just like my husband Cetti - so maybe I will change my mind - by next year - cheers!

[Cetti]

Hi smudge!

Yes, if you're at risk it is necessary, but believe me if anyone comes near me brandishing a needle I still  revert  back to a trembling little 6 year old girlie!!