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Re: Flu shot

Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2013 11:26 am
by landscaper
Got any biologists here?

We talk about improper application of herbicides and pesticides creating "resistant" weeds and bugs. Can we do the same thing by using vaccines that miss the mark? Can we weaken our immune system by "helping" it? Can vaccine resistant types of the flu spring up?

Re: Flu shot

Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2013 11:43 am
by Imbred_Goldfish
Getting the vaccine won't create a resistant strain. The vaccine is dead virus that theoretically can't make you sick. Your body however recognizes it as foreign and develops antibodies to it. Natural antibodies, not antibiotics, work in entirely different ways which is why the vaccine doesn't result in resistant strains. Way back when, the vaccine wasn't a dead virus vaccine and had the potential to make you sick. That's where people get the idea that you get sick from the vaccines. The vaccines of the 70's and even early to mid 80's could in fact make you sick. The vaccines of today "theoretically" can't.

Re: Flu shot

Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2013 2:23 pm
by lilwhitelie
Imbred_Goldfish wrote:Getting the vaccine won't create a resistant strain. The vaccine is dead virus that theoretically can't make you sick. Your body however recognizes it as foreign and develops antibodies to it. Natural antibodies, not antibiotics, work in entirely different ways which is why the vaccine doesn't result in resistant strains. Way back when, the vaccine wasn't a dead virus vaccine and had the potential to make you sick. That's where people get the idea that you get sick from the vaccines. The vaccines of the 70's and even early to mid 80's could in fact make you sick. The vaccines of today "theoretically" can't.
Working in an er I know this is supposed to be correct but I was sick for a dang month after I got that dad blamed hot!!! Usually pass on getting one but this year has been by far the worst year ever for the flu and I have a new baby so I thought I would get the shot. I got sick and baby has RSV!!!

Re: Flu shot

Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2013 2:28 pm
by edub20
lilwhitelie wrote:
Imbred_Goldfish wrote:Getting the vaccine won't create a resistant strain. The vaccine is dead virus that theoretically can't make you sick. Your body however recognizes it as foreign and develops antibodies to it. Natural antibodies, not antibiotics, work in entirely different ways which is why the vaccine doesn't result in resistant strains. Way back when, the vaccine wasn't a dead virus vaccine and had the potential to make you sick. That's where people get the idea that you get sick from the vaccines. The vaccines of the 70's and even early to mid 80's could in fact make you sick. The vaccines of today "theoretically" can't.
Working in an er I know this is supposed to be correct but I was sick for a dang month after I got that dad blamed hot!!! Usually pass on getting one but this year has been by far the worst year ever for the flu and I have a new baby so I thought I would get the shot. I got sick and baby has RSV!!!
I was at Baptist from Saturday till 5pm Christmas eve with my daughter. Her RSV turned into Pneumonia. That crap spreads through daycare like wildfire.

Re: Flu shot

Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2013 8:57 am
by Imbred_Goldfish
It looks like the CDC or whoever predicts the strain prevalence did a much poorer job this year than last. I work in a pharmacy so I get to give both the flu shots and dispense the Tamiflu. This year we saw confirmed cases of the flu much earlier than last year. Last year the majority of cases were in folks who didn't get the shot at all, this year it's been a lot closer to 50/50. There are hundreds if not thousands of different flu strains, the vast majority of diagnosed cases are the result of 3-5 strains each year.

Re: Flu shot

Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2013 7:23 pm
by Double Reed
Well the oldest (7) got a shot today, better safe then sorry with him among large groups at school. Better safe than sorry i guess.