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Subscribe to RSSThe flu season may finally be picking up steam after the slowest start in nearly three decades, a new government report suggests.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports an uptick in the number of samples testing positive for the virus -- 10.5 percent in the first week of February versus 7.6 percent the week before.
That suggests that the flu season is just off to a late start, CDC researchers say. Interestingly, it’s only the second time in 29 years that the percentage of respiratory samples testing positive remained under 10 percent through January.
"The peak of flu cases most commonly occurs in January or February, but the timing can vary significantly year to year," says Dr Otto Yang, professor of medicine, division of infectious diseases, at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles.
Flu season generally hits as early as October and can continue as late as May.
"It's difficult to predict if this will overall be lower than other years, because we have not yet reached the peak yet," Yang says.
Another of the CDC’s indicators that suggests that flu activity is starting to pick up in certain areas around the country is the count of people who show flu-like symptoms. Two regions -- Central and Northwestern U.S. -- are reporting a bump in influenza-like illnesses above baseline for the first time this year. And California is now reporting widespread influenza activity, while Missouri, Texas and Virginia have been reporting localized upticks.
Yang suggests the flu is peaking first in California because of its coastal location. "I can only speculate, but California is a state with lots of people traveling in and out, including people from areas where flu typically starts its spread each season," Yang says.
That may bode ill for the rest of the country, says Dr. Richard Zimmerman, a professor of family medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. “It’s fairly common for the west to precede the east,“ he explains. “But that’s not always true.”
If you still haven’t gotten your flu shot this year, get vaccinated right away, the CDC recommends, and Zimmerman agrees.
“This is really the last chance to get vaccinated,” he says. “It takes anywhere from one to two weeks for the vaccine to become effective.”
Other than vaccination, stay at home when you're sick -- and cross your fingers that your colleagues or schoolmates do the same, Zimmerman says. (Although for those who don’t have any sick leave left -- or never had any in the first place -- that can be a tough call.)
The only other protection you have against the flu is regular hand-washing. But no matter how fastidious you are, hand washing can only do so much in face of a virus that is mostly spread through the air when people cough and sneeze.
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On the survey. I wonder how many of the 17% got flu shots and how many of the 83% got them.
100% of them , either got the shots or didn't ....
It's not the flu --- There is a deadly epidemic of "Severely Conservative" going around... Make sure you wash your hands after using the bathroom
Well, ... wash your head, hands and everything else after watching the news ... I would hate to catch a case of "severely conservative". I think it tends to make people "severely hateful."
Just take a few cloves of garlic a day and use a dropper with small amount of 5 part water to 1 part hydrogen peroxide applied to your inner ears when you feel you have been exposed and you will never succumb!
I am calling bull@!$%# on this article
there is still not any flu out there
10.4 percent of swabs came back positive this is till within the margins of error of the test and the shear small numbers of tests done is amazing less than 1000 people out of a 350 million
check it out at flu.gov
http://gis.cdc.gov/grasp/fluview/main.html
From: CDC
Department Of Health and Human Services:
Recipe” that Fosters Higher Interest and
and Demand for Influenza Vaccine
3.Medical experts and public health authorities publicly (e.g., via media) state concern and alarm (and predict dire outcomes)–and urge influenza vaccination.
4.The combination of ‘2’ and ‘3’ result in:
A.Significant media interest and attention
B.Framing of the flu season in terms that motivate behavior (e.g., as “very severe,” “more severe than last or past years,” “deadly“)
6.Visible/tangible examples of the seriousness of the illness (e.g., pictures of children, families of those affected coming forward) andpeople getting vaccinated (the first to motivate, the latter to reinforce)
Maybe more people are wising up and taking better care of themselves. There is a LOT of information available now and support groups. Just getting your vitamin D level up can make a huge difference in staying well or not. At least I'm hoping that is playing into this.
We never get flu shots and we never get the flu.
Hey raw blues how can you equate conservatives as hatefull when the lib group OCW, who are among the most hate filled group of folks I have seen, constantly get a free pass. Now I can agree that some conservatives can come off as seeming hateful. Can you at least acknowledge that some of the crap that OCW groups pull is hatefull as well?
Got the flu shot, reacted badly to it. CDC says they never heard of such a reaction so it didn't happen. It took me months to get over the reaction I had to it. It started with severe body pain with a fever during the first 2 weeks ultimately moving into kidney failure. Nothing can be proved, although symptoms started almost immediately, they are calling it a coincidence, but I'm telling you, I will never get another flu shot in this lifetime!
With so many people getting flu shots, wouldn't the incidence of flu actually drop? I understand scientists never want to say "it's a real drop" until like July. But otherwise why pressure people to get the shots -- unless it's just guaranteed income for the drug companies.
only took two posts before the nutty anti-vaccine conspiracy theorists came out...record?
A woman was in a big retail store who was giving the shot's. I said no and pray I don't catch it. telling her of people who never had a flu shot, then once he did I thought he was going to die. The person was really nice, older but she said I should get it and in about 2 weeks I would get a little sick or so. It is fine for who wants to have it but what it is is all the past flu's mixed with the new dose. So That is what scares me.
No - the flu vaccine is not "all past flu's mixed with the new dose" ....viruses constantly mutate into new virus strains. The new flu vaccine every year is the "best guess" of which new viruses will dominate. That is why sometimes people will still get the flu even though they have been vaccinated...a particular strain may get missed (that's what happened a couple of years ago when an additional vaccination for swine flu was recommended). A certain percentage of people getting vaccinations (true for any disease vaccination) is "required" for the rate of flu (or other disease) in the unvaccinated group to stay low. Unfortunately not enough people in the USA get vaccinated. I think the turning point is somewhere around 80% or more, but only about 60% or less people actually get vaccinated, so there are still too many people catching the flu and too many people dying of the complications of flu. If you are not going to get vaccinated, please at least wash your hands multiple, multiple times every day for the entire flu season to help stop the spread, and stay home if you think you are coming down with the flu. Flu is contagious for at least 24 hours before you ever have a symptom.
eric
There would not be so many conspiracy theories were it not for the track record of big government and it's connection to big business most especially the pharmaceutical industry and chemical manufacturing.........like my friend who really survived a bear attack once bitten twice shy!!! The only time I experienced bad episodes of the flu was shortly after receiving a flu shot.....go figure!
Your attitude suggests that perhaps you should volunteer for research in the side effects of flu vaccines.....hey it'll be alright!!!
No, there wouldn't be so many conspiracy theories if the loonies would actually get off the internet, quit feeding on other wacky ideas that equally bored people would come up with. The entire concept behind conspiracy theories is coming up with something you WANT to believe. You want there to be some dark hidden motive or plan. It makes a boring life that little bit more exciting for you. And if/when someone believes you, it's a nerd-gasm of fun. It's basically "there are no UFO's, aliens, no plane 9/11's or fake birth certificates, but gee, wouldn't it be exciting if those were real?!"
I got a flu shot once several years ago and was sick for FIVE EFFING DAYS. Said NEVER again. Now I never get the shot (or any other vaccines, for that matter) and GUESS what, I never get the flu.
Don't want the flu? Then don't get the shot and spare yourself a dose of microbes and dangerous chemicals.
The only time I've ever had the flu was before I started to regularly receive the vaccine. I've never had a reaction to the shot other than maybe a bit of tenderness at the injection site. Of course, that's an immuno reaction to the vaccine which is what you're striving for.
Just because we question a toxic mix of ingredients being injected into our bodies (if you read the inserts, you will see just what crap is exactly is in there), does not mean we are looney or give you a right to be mean. it is your right to vaccinate and it is still my right to not vaccinate. does not mean i am looney, a nut or ignorant. the only argument/response the pro-vacinators have is name calling at this point. Kinda sad.
@Eric,
Can you show us a corresponding drop in influenza cases or causal deaths that are directly correlated to the increased uptake of the vaccine? No?
Data would be nice. This is a FAITH based vaccine. There is no data to support that it does what they sell it to do and that's to prevent death from influenza.
Do you have any data Eric? Instead of name calling and going "blah, blah, antivaccine, blah, blah, conspiracy, blah" , just give some data that correlates that this vaccine works in the real world instead of the CDC's bubble.
robert, Ive shown you data before and either you ignore it or claim some kind of industry bias. Your mind is closed to any and all possibilities other than your own imagination. But I must be insane because I'll try once more:
Vaccines for preventing influenza in healthy adults.
Jefferson TO, Rivetti D, Di Pietrantonj C, Rivetti A, Demicheli V.
Update in
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Different types of influenza vaccines are currently produced world-wide. Healthy adults are at present targeted only in North America. Despite the publication of a large number of clinical trials, there is still substantial uncertainty about the clinical effectiveness of influenza vaccines and this has a negative impact on their acceptance and uptake.
OBJECTIVES:
To identify, retrieve and assess all studies evaluating the effects (efficacy, effectiveness and harms) of vaccines against influenza in healthy adults.
MAIN RESULTS:
Forty-eight reports were included: 38 (57 sub-studies) were clinical trials providing data about effectiveness, efficacy and harms of influenza vaccines and involved 66,248 people; 8 were comparative non-randomised studies and tested the association of the vaccines with serious harms; 2 were reports of harms which could not be introduced in the data analysis. Inactivated parenteral vaccines were 30% effective (95% CI 17% to 41%) against influenza-like illness, and 80% (95% CI 56% to 91%) efficacious against influenza when the vaccine matched the circulating strain and circulation was high, but decreased to 50% (95% CI 27% to 65%) when it did not. Excluding the studies of the 1968 to 1969 pandemic, effectiveness was 15% (95% CI 9% to 22%) and efficacy was 73% (95% CI 53% to 84%). Vaccination had a modest effect on time off work, but there was insufficient evidence to draw conclusions on hospital admissions or complication rates. Inactivated vaccines caused local tenderness and soreness and erythema. Spray vaccines had more modest performance. Monovalent whole-virion vaccines matching circulating viruses had high efficacy (VE 93%, 95% CI 69% to 98%) and effectiveness (VE 66%, 95% CI 51% to 77%) against the 1968 to 1969 pandemic.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS:
Influenza vaccines are effective in reducing cases of influenza, especially when the content predicts accurately circulating types and circulation is high. However, they are less effective in reducing cases of influenza-like illness and have a modest impact on working days lost. There is insufficient evidence to assess their impact on complications. Whole-virion monovalent vaccines may perform best in a pandemic.
Question: what type of people die from influenza? Healthy people? no! And do the policy makers sell the vaccine to the public? By talking about complications. Apparently your cochrane review doesn't support that sales technique.
http://summaries.cochrane.org/CD001269/vaccines-to-prevent-influenza-in-healthy-adults
Poor evidence, Eric.
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD004876.pub3/abstract
Vaccines for preventing influenza in the elderly
Again, Poor to no evidence, Eric.
Robert,
I am sorry, but your ignorance is coming out. Clearly you are not a scientist or medical person. If you were, you would know that meta-analysis is considered the gold standard of scientific evidence, and cochrane review wrote the book on that type of study
Really? Are you trying to tell me that in the history of the planet not one healthy person has died from the flu? Are you serious? Many people living in 1918 would beg to differ. As well as victims of the H1N1 virus, which killed quite a few "healthy" individuals. Come on...
Again, as I predicted, you bring up bias and disregard ALL evidence.
Its harder to show benefit in the elderly, I grant that.
Again, poor to no knowledge, robert
here:
Effectiveness of trivalent and pandemic influenza vaccines in England and Wales 2008-2010: Results from a cohort study in general practice.
Hardelid P, Fleming DM, Andrews N, Barley M, Durnall H, Mangtani P, Pebody R.
Source
Statistics Unit, Health Protection Agency Centre for Infections, London, UK.
Abstract
Estimation of influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE) is complicated by various degrees of mismatch between circulating and vaccine strains each season. We carried out a cohort study to estimate VE of trivalent (TIV) and pandemic influenza vaccines (PIV) in preventing various respiratory outcomes among general practice (GP) patients in England and Wales between 2008 and 2010. Dates of consultations for influenza-like illness (ILI), acute respiratory tract infection (ARTI), lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) and nasopharyngeal swabs were obtained from the patient-level electronic records of the 100 practices enrolled in a national GP network. Dates of vaccination with TIV and PIV were also extracted. Confounders including age, time period and consultation frequency were adjusted for through Poisson regression models. In the winter of 2008/9, adjusted VE of TIV in preventing ILI was 22.3% (95% CI 13.5%, 30.2%). During the 2009/10 winter VE for PIV in preventing ILI was 21.0% (5.3%, 34.0%). The VE for PIV in preventing PCR-confirmed influenza A/H1N1 (2009) was 63.7% (-6.1%, 87.6%). TIV during the period of influenza circulation of 2008/9 and PIV in the winter of 2009/10 were effective in preventing GP consultations for ILI. The cohort study design could be used each season to estimate VE; however, residual confounding by indication could still present issues, despite adjustment for propensity to consult.
and again:
Influenza vaccine effectiveness among adult patients in a University of Lyon hospital (2004-2009).
Amour S, Voirin N, Regis C, Bouscambert-Duchamp M, Comte B, Coppéré B, Pires-Cronenberger S, Lina B, Vanhems P.
Source
Université de Lyon, Université de Lyon 1, CNRS UMR 5558, Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, Lyon, France.
Abstract
The aim of this study was to estimate influenza vaccine effectiveness (IVE) against laboratory-confirmed influenza among hospitalized patients. A case-control investigation was based on the prospective surveillance of influenza-like illness (ILI) during five flu seasons. We compared influenza-positive cases and influenza-negative controls. Unadjusted overall IVE was 62% (95% confidence interval 24% to 81%). We found that IVE was lower during the 2004-05 flu season (11%; 95% CI -232% to 76%) when the vaccine and circulating viruses were mismatched. Expansion of the study to other hospitals could provide IVE estimates earlier in the season, for different age groups and emerging virus strains.
yet again:
I-MOVE multi-centre case control study 2010-11: overall and stratified estimates of influenza vaccine effectiveness in Europe.
Kissling E, Valenciano M, Cohen JM, Oroszi B, Barret AS, Rizzo C, Stefanoff P, Nunes B, Pitigoi D, Larrauri A, Daviaud I, Horvath JK, O'Donnell J, Seyler T, Paradowska-Stankiewicz IA, Pechirra P, Ivanciuc AE, Jiménez-Jorge S, Savulescu C, Ciancio BC, Moren A.
Source
EpiConcept, Paris, France. e.kissling@epiconcept.fr
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
In the third season of I-MOVE (Influenza Monitoring Vaccine Effectiveness in Europe), we undertook a multicentre case-control study based on sentinel practitioner surveillance networks in eight European Union (EU) member states to estimate 2010/11 influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE) against medically-attended influenza-like illness (ILI) laboratory-confirmed as influenza.
METHODS:
Using systematic sampling, practitioners swabbed ILI/ARI patients within seven days of symptom onset. We compared influenza-positive to influenza laboratory-negative patients among those meeting the EU ILI case definition. A valid vaccination corresponded to > 14 days between receiving a dose of vaccine and symptom onset. We used multiple imputation with chained equations to estimate missing values. Using logistic regression with study as fixed effect we calculated influenza VE adjusting for potential confounders. We estimated influenza VE overall, by influenza type, age group and among the target group for vaccination.
RESULTS:
We included 2019 cases and 2391 controls in the analysis. Adjusted VE was 52% (95% CI 30-67) overall (N = 4410), 55% (95% CI 29-72) against A(H1N1) and 50% (95% CI 14-71) against influenza B. Adjusted VE against all influenza subtypes was 66% (95% CI 15-86), 41% (95% CI -3-66) and 60% (95% CI 17-81) among those aged 0-14, 15-59 and ≥60 respectively. Among target groups for vaccination (N = 1004), VE was 56% (95% CI 34-71) overall, 59% (95% CI 32-75) against A(H1N1) and 63% (95% CI 31-81) against influenza B.
CONCLUSIONS:
Results suggest moderate protection from 2010-11 trivalent influenza vaccines against medically-attended ILI laboratory-confirmed as influenza across Europe. Adjusted and stratified influenza VE estimates are possible with the large sample size of this multi-centre case-control. I-MOVE shows how a network can provide precise summary VE measures across Europe.
More:
Vaccine effectiveness in preventing influenza hospitalizations in Navarre, Spain, 2010-2011: cohort and case-control study.
Castilla J, Martínez-Artola V, Salcedo E, Martínez-Baz I, Cenoz MG, Guevara M, Alvarez N, Irisarri F, Morán J, Barricarte A; Network for Influenza Surveillance in Hospitals of Navarre.
Collaborators (18)
Artajo P, Bernaola E, Chamorro J, Fanlo P, Gil F, Gost J, Maraví E, Pérez C, Ruiz M, Sola J, Reina G, Núñez J, Navascués A, Ortega M, Torres M, Zamora MJ, Reparaz F, Petit A.
Source
Instituto de Salud Pública de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain. jcastilc@navarra.es
Abstract
We evaluated the 2010-2011 seasonal influenza vaccine effectiveness in preventing hospitalizations. Using healthcare databases we defined the target population for vaccination in Navarre, Spain, consisting of 217,320 people with major chronic conditions or aged 60 years and older. All hospitalized patients with influenza-like illness (ILI) were swabbed for influenza testing. A total of 269 patients with ILI were hospitalized and 61 of them were found positive for influenza virus: 58 for A(H1N1)2009 and 3 for B virus. The incidence rates of hospitalization with laboratory-confirmed influenza were compared by vaccination status. In the Cox regression model adjusted for sex, age, children in the household, urban/rural residence, comorbidity, pandemic vaccination, pneumococcal vaccination, outpatient visits and hospitalization in the previous year, the seasonal vaccine effectiveness was 58% (95% CI: 16-79%). The nested test-negative case-control analysis gave an adjusted estimate of 59% (95% CI: 4-83%). These results suggest a moderate effect of the 2010-2011 seasonal influenza vaccine in preventing hospitalization in a risk population. The close estimates obtained in the cohort and the test-negative case-control analyses suggest good control of biases.
heres the point
I have shown you data from many different groups of scientists across the globe, with no connection at all. They have all shown effictiveness of the flu vaccine.
The only possible conclusions are a worldwide conspiracy involving scientists from different nations all collaborating to fool the public and make drug companies lots of money OR:
the vaccine is effective
Its really that simple....
The studies I cite ARE from the Cochrane collaboration. You should also be aware that Cochrane hasn't been to nice with mass vaccine policy.
Does the Vaccine Matter?
You haven't shown that at all. Why don't you just show the layperson a graph of vaccine uptake and the corresponding decrease in influenza from the CDC data. It simply doesn't exist Eric. It's that simple.
An RCT double blinded is the gold standard, Eric. You should know this. A meta analysis of case controls has bias. The cochrane collaboration doesn't agree with your assesment of the faux evidence.
what about every other study I posted????
I DO know this. You are making incorrect assumptions. YOU should know it is unethical to deprive people of a vaccine that has tremendous evidence behind it supporting its efficacy. A randomized trial of that sort will never happen
Just like you'll never see a randomized trial over the use of PCI in STEMI patients...its unethical
But you can't just disregard the volumes of other data because they are not the gold standard. Taken together, certainly you must give them weight. Definitely more so than the evidence that it is ineffective, or harmful, of which there is little to none
I said in general healthy people don't die from the flu. That is a statement of fact.
It's not 1918 anymore. Its 2012. The Swine flu death confirmation was stopped , at I believe 1200 deaths. All influenza like deaths afterward were counted as swine flu deaths without confirmation. Any inference made from this 1200 was premature and relative not absolute.
Now i have you in black and white PROVEN wrong
http://www.reuters.com/article/2009/07/10/us-britain-flu-idUSTRE5685ER20090710
UK records first H1N1 death in healthy patient
Their is NOT tremendous evidence. You really could end this debate by showing increased vaccine uptake in the U.S with decreasing influenza deaths via CDC statistics.
Well then it will continue to be less than scientific. An RCT is the gold standard of scientific evidence. Many practices of medicine are less than scientific and lack appropiate evidence.
You said show me evidence that the flu is effective. I did that. Granted, no RCTs, but certainly you can't sit here and still say theres NO evidence for flu vaccination efficacy?
You think we should mass vaccinate 6 billion based on this 1 patient? of course you do. Is that scientific? No! It's based on ideology of what should happen and what some believe is the best strategy.
Influenza vaccination: policy versus evidence
It's relatively effective in people who don't need it, The healthy. And the latest research says it's only 60% effective in this group.
If it's so effective in the group that needs it then show me the CDC data where influenza death decreases with increased vaccine uptake. THat evidence doesn't exist. Real world evidence.
Influenza vaccination and risk of mortality among adults hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia.
Spaude KA, Abrutyn E, Kirchner C, Kim A, Daley J, Fisman DN.
Source
Drexel University School of Public Health, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Influenza vaccination has been shown to reduce illness and all-cause mortality in vulnerable populations through the prevention of influenza infection. Attenuation of the severity of illness by vaccination has been reported for respiratory tract infections due to bacterial pathogens and would represent an important additional health benefit of influenza vaccination. We evaluated the impact of prior influenza vaccination on in-hospital mortality and other health outcomes among hospitalized adults with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP).
METHODS:
Consecutive individuals hospitalized with CAP during "influenza season" (November to April, 1999-2003) at hospitals operated by Tenet HealthCare were identified using a database constructed to improve quality of patient care. Associations between vaccination status and all-cause in-hospital mortality were evaluated using logistic regression models.
RESULTS:
Among 17 393 adults hospitalized with CAP during the study period, 1590 (19% of those with recorded vaccine status) had a history of influenza vaccination in the current or most recent influenza season. Vaccine recipients were less likely to die in hospital of any cause than individuals without vaccination (odds ratio, 0.30; 95% confidence interval, 0.22-0.41). These effects remained significant after adjustment for the presence of comorbid illnesses and pneumococcal vaccination (adjusted odds ratio for death, 0.61; 95% confidence interval, 0.43-0.87) and under widely varying assumptions about individuals with missing vaccination status.
CONCLUSIONS:
Prior influenza vaccination was associated with improved survival in hospitalized patients with CAP during influenza season. This observation, if confirmed by other studies, would represent an important additional benefit of enhanced influenza vaccine coverage.
Wow, the flu vaccine improves all cause mortality. It's like magic. How does it do that?
Also another non RCT frought with bias
what bias?
bias that is inherently built in to observational studies. The reason why cochrane collaboration calles for more RCTs.
@Robert-1126350,
I support you...
...and suggest you give to give "eric" and others more information on the prestigious Cochrane Collaboration studies.
(Some [like eric,MD] tend to ignore any medical/scientific info that doesn't originate in the USA, or is published in "PhD" journals.)
Care to be more specific? And what makes you think that this bias cuts in favor of vaccines in EVERY study I have posted? I couldn't begin to calculate the odds of that...
Allow me to amend your position for you. You initially said that there is NO evidence in favor of vaccines (#2.10)
I have shown clear evidence in favor of a mortality benefit for vaccines (#2.30) as well as multiple studies above showing reduction in hospitalizations and flu-like illness
You counter that these are not RCTs, and inherently worthless
So I think your position is more accurately stated as "I do not think there is gold standard level mortality data in favor of vaccines"
This is not so outrageous of a position.
However, it is clear you have never been involved with research, nor are familiar with its design.
An RCT is very nice when POSSIBLE. However, in the vaccine world, it is literally impossible.
Firstly, it is unethical. Despite your belief, which is in the minority, most credible scientists and medical professionals are swayed by the voluminous pile of data in the form of observational studies and retrospective data in favor of vaccines. Subjecting at risk populations to a placebo is tantamount to malpractice. So an RCT could never be done for this reason alone
Secondly, and perhaps even more importantly, it is completely impractical. You seem to harp a lot on mortality, for obvious reasons. However, the vast majority of the of the population will not die of the flu, no matter what. Thats a given. So to adequately power an RCT for mortality, the study population would have to be in the millions, and would need to be followed over something like 20 flu cycles to even begin to show a difference that's statistically significant.
So, when presented with an low probability endpoint, what are our REASONABLE options. One is to look at more common endpoints, which is why so many of the studies I cited have hospitalizations or symptoms as endpoints. The second is to use a retrospective model so you are not enrolling for the next century
Robert, this is the reality of medicine. Most things we do don't have RCTs behind them, for the above reasons. I would love to know if the 325 asa I prescribe after a MI is truly better than just 81--we'll probably never know. I would really like to know if treating low risk patients with statins is really beneficial--very analagous to this situation, also unanwerable for the same reasons
You are fixated on flu vaccines for likely personal reasons, but you could easily make the same arguments against most things in medicine.
But the problem is not what you are arguing against, its the methods we have at our disposal--not perfect
If you are looking for solid, uncontrovertable evidence with every step you take, then please do not look at medicine. People just do not work like that
I'm waiting for the "common cold" vaccine -- SNEEZE!
no vaccine. no flu.
no vaccine, no bear attacks...must be a connection there too, right?
That's right. The vaccine doesn't work very well. You have no real data to say it does.
uh, you spoke too soon. check above
uh, less than 60% effectiveness in a minority portion of the population who would do fine without it? Healthy people generally don't die from the flu.
How good does the vaccine work in high risk (relative not absolute) populations, the sick elderly and immune compromised? 30% to non existent.
uh, both 60 and 30 are greater than zero robert
Have you not mastered simple arithmetic yet?
non sequitur
no, you just dont understand
IF the flu vaccine has "only" 60% efficacy, but no vaccine is 0% efficacy by definition, than one can easily argue that some, although not perfect, efficacy is better than none
I get the impression youre a pretty smart guy, but you play dumb sometimes. I suspect this is a result of your blind obsession with your viewpoint. Not a good outlook, IMHO
I'm on day 5 of having the flu, its nasty this year. Fever, chills, aches, and a horrid cough. Son brought it home from preschool, I didn't get vaccinated this year though he did. My daughter is now showing symptoms. We're in the DC metro area. If you have it, STAY HOME!!! Finally going back to work tomorrow after missing 4 days.
It's been going around here in WI. for about 3-4 weeks. Started slow and now more and more people are getting it. The worst part about this flu, which I've had for a week, is that it's evil because it mutates into a bad cold. The symptoms stop for a day and then bam the symptoms change.
At the place my daughter works some people have been dealing with this thing for over 3 weeks. Company policy for missed work is kind of sucky, so the employees have to keep coming in for work. I guess there is one upside to being disabled and not being able to work, I don't have to worry about getting fired from a job. I'd still prefer to work though.
Since this is the second year I've had the flu after years of not getting it I would get a flu shot except I'm allergic to eggs and the vaccine is cultured in eggs.
I hope the kids don't get as sick as the adults have been getting. Actually my wish is for no one else to get it, it's awful. Try and stay healthy everyone.
FINALLY picking up steam?! Like, it's a major disappointment that more people have not had the flu? Say what?
I am 74 yrs old. I get the flu shot every year. The one year I didn't get the shot..Guess what? I got the flu that led to walking pnemonia...Took most of the year to get rid of it...Don't sacrific your life because you believe in some conspiracy theory!!! Flu shots work & keep you healthy.
Bernie: When I was younger, I got the flu shot every ear. Had to; I was in a transport unit in the Air Force. Flu shot was just one of many that were required for all of us (included Cholera and Bubonic Plague, among others). When I got out, I never got the flu shot until 1983. In 1982, on Thanksgiving day of all days, I was admitted to the hospital with pneuemonia, what was later diagnosed as Legionaires. I now get the flu shot every year, as well as the pneumonia shot at the recommnded interval. With the new vaccines being made from chicken eggs, the shot is a lot easier to take than before, when it was made from duck eggs. I agree, don't sacrifice your health - or life - because of some crazy vaccine conspiracy theory. It ain't worth it. By the way, I turn 70 in April, and am a Vietnam veteran.
All I know is this: In the fall of '94 my mom, age 74, healthy as a horse, got a flu shot, believing the news stories that it was going to be one of the worst flu seasons in history and not wanting to get sick. She got sick 2 weeks later. Two months later she was still sick and on her third round of antibiotics. Finished them. Still sick. Went back to the doc for the umpteenth time in 3 months and had blood drawn, yet again, by her doctor, one of the top M.D.'s in the Midwestern states. She was diagnosed with Acute Myelocytic (sp?) Leukemia. Six weeks later to the day of her diagnosis, we buried her. I'll NEVER get a flu shot. If I ever have a job that requires it, I'll quit. I'LL NEVER GET A FLU SHOT!!! I don't believe in them. Period. For those of you who do, good luck. I'd rather take my chances fighting the flu than going through what my mother did, God rest her soul.
So sad. So sorry to hear that. I didn't get as sick as your mom, but the ONE time I got the flu shot, I GOT THE FLU. It was the first time I ever got it and since then I never got the shot again. I have had the flu one other time though. I don't see why getting the shot is so important. It certainly didn't help.
Diane: I'm so sorry for your loss. Loosing a loved one is absolutely inconsolable (spelling?); you take what comfort you can, and it's too often spare. However, the flu shot did not cause your mother's lukemia; it takes a long time to develop and manifest itself. My late wife's mother died from lukemia in 1939, at the ripe old age of 21, before I was even born. She, too, was healthy as a horse until some time after her 20th birthday. So, I urge you, please reconsider. Think about it, because I feel that there is enormous benefit from the flu shot. I get it every year now, and have not had the flu since I started. For more information, refer to my comment 7.1, above.
The flu didn't cause acute myelocytic leukemia. It was a sad coincidence. The fact that the doctor failed to correctly diagnose her condition is no reason to blame the vaccination. Instead, he may have overlooked the real diagnosis upon listening to her insistence that the flu shot caused it. Doctors are human and make mistakes. The correct diagnosis may have been found earlier if she had been referred to a hematologist. The only major problem that has ever been attributed to the vaccine is the incidence of Guillian-Barre increased in the year after the swine flu scare of about the year 1976 and the quick manufacture and administration of the additional flu vaccine that year. But Guillian-Barre syndrome occurs without ever receiving the flu vaccine......there was a correlation with increased incidence only that year.
The flu vaccine contains DEAD virus, that your body reacts to and forms antibodies to. You can't catch the flu from the vaccine. You CAN, however, catch the flu the regular way if your body hasn't yet formed enough antibodies after receiving the vaccine, or, sometimes, one may just get the flu anyway....although usually a milder case. I've been getting a flu shot every year for many, many years and have never had the flu even when my husband had it or when I've been repeatedly exposed to it while caring for patients in my hospital.
Dianne, sad to hear about your mother, but thinking the flu shot gave your mother cancer of the blood is beyond stupid. The two are not related at all. That's like saying getting a kidney stone will give a heart attack. Ask any physician. Your mothers story is a sad coincidence.
This is heartbreaking, but totally coincidental. Get you flu shot. It is NOT what killed her.
I haven't had a flu shot in 9 years. I get a bad cold MAYBE once every 3-4 years. I just take care of myself, wash my hands, eat alot of hearbs (believe me, they are potent immune buiders!) At least they work for me! And I drink alot of water. I know we are all different, but I think this kind thing helps! I like to leave that one extra flu shot for someone who really needs it!
Sorry your Mom got sick, but Influenza is a virus, that's why you need a vaccine to guard against infection. If she got sick and needed antibiotics, it wasn't a viral infection. The two were not related and your fear of unrelated events is putting yourself and those around you at risk.
Have You noticed Free Flu Shots are being offered with NO Appointment necessary??? Why??? Because Scientists, The CDC and WHO are Running Scared as the Planet is due for another Killing Pandemic like the SpanishFlu of 1918, which is cousin to the Bird Flu we presently see lurking in Asia. The Swine Flu, H1N1, IS VERY contagious but has a kill rate of 2 out of 100 people or 2%. The Bird Flu, H5N1, is NOT Very contagious BUT has a Kill rate of 70% or 70 out 100 people. Scientists are fearing that if two infected people, each with each kind of Flu meet up, the two flus, H1N1 and H5N1 will Combine and "Marry Up" and make babies, Little Killing Machines whose Main Target is Humanity causing a planetary pandemic of 1-2Billion casualties. I don't want to think about it.....
oh calm down will you. the reason why vaccines, like the annual flue shot, can be administered without appointments is because it is a low risk treatment that can be mass produced once the infrastructure has developed to produce vaccines for the specific strain. and in the case of all viruses the easiest way to combat them is through herd immunity, getting as many people in the population immune as possible.
No such thing as the flu season, just another money grab by the medical industry to rob people of their hard eraned dollars. They are all full of @!$%#. Havent been sick in 20 years!!!
to HaroldGates: We can Respect your feelings Sir BUT influenza is an apparent Population Control Tool CircuitBreaker implemented by Mother Nature ONLY. She Owns It And KNOWS how to use Influenza. People dropped dead like flies in the 1918 Influenza Pandemic... Influenza was not created by Scientists in High Tech Labs. It IS good you were Not sick in twenty Years..Now, don't be so arrogant and cocky, Bite Your Tongue and please shut up...for your own good.
Well of course. The drug companies have not made enough money so they will try again to scare us, to increase their bottom line. The more vaccines they sell, the more money they make. Wake up people.
NICE! I can't wait to sit back and watch while I'm all healthy and everyone else runs to get their flu shot just so they can all still get sick. It's always funny to me and no one notices anything wrong with that.
Too many people think a bad cold is "the flu" and get mad that the flu shot didn't stop it, Other people think it is what we call "stomach flu" (vomiting, diarrhea)....which is not the real "influenza". Flu is an upper respiratory infection that comes on practically overnight, with fevers, joint pains, weakness, total exhaustion, cough and upper respiratory symptoms. It can rapidly lead to complications such as pneumonia, which is deathly to the elderly, the children, and immunocompromised patients such as those on chemotherapy for cancer or those having autoimmune diseases or anyone weak and frail. Antibiotics don't cure it but may be used to treat pneumonia associated with the flu. There are some newer antiviral drugs for the worst cases of flu.
Thank God it showed up, it'd been a dam n shame if it didn't.
I never get a flu shot and never get the flu, even with 3 young kids. but this year i had to get it because of a class, and sure enough, i have the flu. and an ear infection. i think i'll go back to being unvaccinated, thanks.
The only time I received a flu shot, I got the flu worse than I ever had in my life.
I have not gotten the FLU since. I will NEVER GET ANOTHER FLU SHOT!
Take a super-food supplement, avoid dairy, and eat organic non-GMO produce (avoid soy and corn in products).
THE FLU SHOT IS A FRAUD !!
The scam artists inject you with last years strain which doesn't protect you from this years FLU !!
It's not the flu --- There is a deadly epidemic of "Severely Conservative" going around
Severely Conservative Disease attacks brain cells & the central nervous system,, Wash your hands real good after using the bathroom
Jim will you stop spreading your bias to a post that has nothing to do with politics. We get it, you know nothing about science and just need to put your two cents in. Why don't I put you have a case of Liberalism that affects your ability to respect others or keep your comments to yourself? Grow up!
This years flu is strain A. If you worked in a medical office you would see positive cases. And guess what? The flu shot is against A, so yes it is last year's strain because those are projected to be the most common. Do some research first.
ain't there, though!
I would rather have the flu, then get a flu shot. Year after year, people say I need to get vaccinated, and year after year I hardly ever get sick, a cold maybe. I haven't had a bad Flu in some time. I hate needles so much, if they want to pay me to get one, then I might go for it, otherwise no.
Since I moved up north away from the grandkids I haven't had the flu or a cold & I don't shake hands with Tea Baggers
Stay away from kids & conservatives & you can lead a healthy life
jim you are cracking me up!
Did not get the flu shot, while my sister did, she got the flu and I did not!!! HMMMMMM!!!!
Must be some witchcraft going on there, do you argue often?
Good, maybe it will hit Washington real hard and kill a few of those bastard who somehow got elected to do nothing.
Put on a Hazmat Suit before you meet a republican & don't swim in cesspools of right wing cool-aid