Swine Flu Vaccine-My Personal Opinion

The Swine Flu or H1N1 Flu is a concern for everyone, but certain people are more at risk than others. This group includes children from six months of age to young adults, and people with certain illnesses, such as Asthma. Children and young adults are at risk because they have not built up many immunities to this form of the flu. People with breathing problems such as Asthma are at risk because this form of the flu attacks the upper respiratory system quicker than the seasonal flu as reproted by the Center for Disease Control. The CDC is advocating that anyone in one of these high-risk groups be vaccinated for not only the Swine Flu but also the seasonal flu as both viruses are circulating the country now.

Both vaccines could have possible side effects ranging from mild reactions to severe reactions. Some mild reactions would be fainting, headache, muscle aches, fever, or nausea beginning anywhere from an hour to one to two days after the vaccination(Center for Disease Control). Severe reactions might be life threatening such as difficulty breathing, swelling around eyes or lips, hives, weakness, fast heartbeat, or dizziness, high fever, or changes in behavior beginning in a few minutes to an hour(Center for Disease Control). Although these side effects are supposed to be rare according to Dr. Anthony Fauci, the Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

The flu can also be prevented by taking a few simple precautions according to Dr. Vinay Goyal head of the Nuclear Medicine Department and Thyroid Clinic at Riddhivinayak Cardiac and Critical Centre:
1. Wash your hands frequently.
2. Keep your hands off your face, unless eating or bathing as the flu can only attack through the nostrils and
mouth.
3. Gargle twice a day with warm salt water or some kind of germ killing mouthwash such as Listerine.
4. Blow your nose hard at least once a day and swab the nostrils with warm salt water.
5. Drink and eat foods with plenty of Vitamin C, as this is a natural immune booster.
6. Drink a lot of warm liquids because this helps to watch the virus down to the stomach where it
cannot survive.
7. If you are sick do not go out, the Swine Flu is very contagious.

According to theCenter for Disease Control vaccine supplies are being sent out to health departments across the country, but in small amounts. Right now there is only enough to vaccinate people at high risk and those working in the health profession such as doctors, nurses, etc. I have talked to a lot of my friends and many of them are scared to get the vaccine because of the different side effects. I have never had a flu vaccine in my life and I am not going to get the Swine Flu Vaccine or the seasonal Flu Vaccine this year. I've always done just fine without the Flu Vaccine. I don't want to risk getting the flu from the vaccination. Many of us have natural immunities to the different flu viruses so there is no need to get vaccinated. There have been many flu virus scares over the years and I have never had any of them so I'm not going to risk it. I feel safer just trying to prevent the flu. I think there are to many possible side effects to risk it-even death, so why take a chance. I'm just going use the prevention methods and stay away from sick people. For more information on the Swine Flu Vaccine and to find out if it is available in your state go to http://www.flu.gov.

Author/Artist - Center for Disease Control, Dr. Vinay Goyal
Site Title - http://www.flu.gov