H1N1 and diabetes

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Permalink Reply by patti lopez on October 20, 2009 at 11:45pm

The flu shot has always helped me with no complications. Which I'll be getting in a couple of days. But the H1N1 shot, not sure cause it's new but like we all say we need to take care of ourselves. Lots of vitamin C and others, reg doses not over doing it would help as well. Maybe they need to discuss what's in the vaccine so as to settle our minds on the decision to have it. I say ask around if anyone has had it yet, and ask what their opinion is. Let's us know, cause I'm undecided for the H1N1. Thanks, Patti

Permalink Reply by Linda Fox on October 21, 2009 at 8:04am

I never have had a flu shot -- until I got last season's in the hospital at diagnosis with D. I had Brisbane flu (the one they left out of the seasonal) about 2 yrs ago and it was HORRIBLE. I was really frightened with it -- I had pneumonia symptoms and at diagnosis speculated that perhaps it was b/c I had under-the-radar D ... ?

So now this year I was about to go in last Tue for the seasonal vaccine. And instead Sun evening came down with H1N1 and am STILL recuperating and hoping my clogged sinus does NOT turn into bacterial sinusitis. I was off work for one week and now 11 days later still feel lousy. My family had gastrointestinal and respiratorysymptoms, headache, body aches, and my 8 year old had a fever of 104.

For me, the H1N1 vaccine was distributed too late. I will say, it was not as severe as the Brisbane one, for me, but if you are apt to be exposed .... I would recommend the vaccine.

Permalink Reply by Barrie Platt on October 21, 2009 at 9:04am

Linda, I am hearing that many people who have the H1N1 flu DO progress (or deteriorate) into a bacterial pneumonia. So, please take your recuperation seriously & get plenty of rest, fluids, etc. I know it's tough to be out of work that long, but it's not worth pushing yourself into something worse.

Permalink Reply by Linda Fox on October 21, 2009 at 9:34am

Hi, Barrie -- YUP! That is exactly what is killing people.

So ... I am vigilant, believe ME!

Permalink Reply by Elizabeth on October 21, 2009 at 1:30pm

I think with respect to a flu vaccine, that's not so much an issue because they're not developing a whole new process--they're using the same process they use to create standard flu vaccines just introducing a different virus strain to it. So there's no manufacturing R&D to work out, just the R&D required to isolate the virus (done) and create a live, attenuated version--all of which are well-established processes. So they really aren't going to make a lot of money off this. I've heard it explained on health newscasts that if this strain had appeared only a few months earlier, they simply would have incorporated it into the standard seasonal flu vaccine and no one would have heard diddly about H1N1's fall appearance because it would already be taken care of. It's because they had to switch gears and produce two separate vaccines for the seasonal and swine flus that it's such an issue.

Where I get concerned is when the drug companies create a novel vaccine for a disease that hasn't ever been preventable before. That's where the money is, because the first one to get there corners the market till the patent expires... and that's where there are incentives to cut corners. I don't think the incentives are the same in this case simply because each company knows that neither the process nor the market are a mystery to their competitors, and that if they don't develop and disseminate this product for a reasonable price, someone else will.

The thing is there's plenty you can do to avoid getting sick even if you don't vaccinate. Check this out: http://www.womentowomen.com/inflammation/naturalfluprevention.aspx. Vitamin D is a BIG help and anyone who hasn't been tested should be, but there are lots of other factors to boost immunity.

for the record I got my H1N1 vaccine last week and am waiting for the non-mist version to come out so Eric can have it.

Permalink Reply by KiwiRox on October 21, 2009 at 3:54pm

Great response!

Permalink Reply by David B. on October 21, 2009 at 3:30pm

I think that the decision to vaccinate or not should be a personal one and not one that is rammed down your throat. I chose to get the regular vaccine and will most likely get the H1N1. I am a bit concerned that with the numbers of people being vacinated for the regular flu, we don't seem to hear about ANY problems from side effects at all in the media.

Permalink Reply by Steve RRR on October 22, 2009 at 6:07pm

I always get the annual flu vaccine. This year, it was Saturday October 17 at a county health department clinic. When the H1N1 gets here, I will be getting that one too.

In addition to type 1, my auto-immune system has purposely been weakened. I take anti-rejection drugs to help me keep the kidney my sister Cindy gave me on 1 NOV 2005. To me, it seems essential to get an H1N1 shot when they are available.

I know maybe people don't use vaccines for health reasons or objections to vaccine use. I am glad to use vaccines. I have not had problems with them.

As much as the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, it also gives Big Pharma (BP) a reason to develop tnew things that help us.. I also must remember that profit-loving stockholders of BP are usually not rich folks hiding out at resorts, but regular people with retirement 401K plans

Permalink Reply by Brigid O'Donnell on October 22, 2009 at 6:40pm

I think my son may have H1N1. I am just keeping my fingers crossed that I don't get it! I have washed my hands to the point where I think they may dry up and fall off! ha! I teach second grade and we are BIG into handwashing in my class. Of course living with a young child who has it is another story. I was happy to hear that Bronagh didn't get it while living with someone who did. My son's pediatrician said they don't even check to see if kids have it- he said the test is inaccurate and it didn't lead people to get treatment for it. I have mixed feelings about that. I am person who likes to KNOW. Anyways, my son has a fever of at least 102 and that was with tylenol tonight.
Arrgghh! I am trying to stay positive! By the time the vaccine gets here or becomes available I may have already been exposed to it!

Permalink Reply by Varena Ngai on October 22, 2009 at 6:46pm

Thank you all for your input. The vaccine isn't available yet in Singapore. Some weeks ago, the Ministry of Health reported that many of the H1N1 cases here had symptoms of gastrointestinal infection: vomiting and diarrhea with or without fever. The ministry also predicted that 80% of our 5+million population is already infected as we live in a congested island nation. We get plenty of Vit. D being in the tropics, and I am dosing my family with fruit and vegetable juice everyday. I think there is no point in getting the vaccine since we are already infected. My daughter, who is studying in Australia, had no problem at all with the winter. Some of her friends came down with H1N1; earlier ones had more severe symptoms then the later ones, and all of them recovered.

All said, I would urge everyone in the Northern Hemisphere to be careful. We really don't know how this virus will behave. It might mutate into a more virulent form. I do think that those with compromised immunity system should get the vaccine. Do what you think is best to protect yourself. We are watching the second wave that is expected to come anytime. Will keep you updated on the development here. Please take care.

Permalink Reply by Ken Winters on October 22, 2009 at 9:36pm

I hope people don't get their medical advice on such issues from:
A) Their cousin, friend, parent, child or neighbor (unless said person has at least a Medical degree)
B) Professional Radio/TV opinionator (regardless of their political ideology or how convincing they may sound)
-or-
C) Someones personal web-site that isn't affiliated with any legitimate medical or scientific organizations

Having experienced a bad case of seasonal flu about 15 years ago, I know I never want to go through that again. Trying to maintain any kind of BG control during something like that is very difficult. So I try to get the seasonal vaccine annually (got mine last week). The studies are clear that the vaccines are safe for the vast majority of people. As for the H1N1, I'll get that too as soon as it's available.

Permalink Reply by nilufer on October 23, 2009 at 12:46am

Great topic, as this has been my main concern for the week. Next week I am going to get my flu vac, and was in 2 minds on the H1N1. I have had the flu vac now for 3 years and only have had a bad flu last June, with BGL lvls close to 400 those days I def know that I never ever want to be ill again. I also have had pneumonia vac last year on the back of my T1D diagnoses.

My concern on the H1N1 vac has been it seems it contains lead, and heard that lead weakens the immune system more....Pls bear in mind that this is hear say ONLY and that I have not talked to my GP nor Endo on this matter yet. So will keep a close eye on these posts in case anyone else has more info.

Btw: Pharma companies making money is a good thing, we are still in a recession and profit would mean more employment and better welfare for everyone at the end. Also from a med point of view, I am glad that the pharma companies are there and that I know that I am not facing a death sentence with T1D like people did a century ago.

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