There is nothing worse as a parent than the feeling of powerlessness when our children are sick. As parents, we want to do everything in our control to keep our children healthy. Flu season is falling upon us, and we’re seeing a huge push towards getting the flu vaccine. Walk into pretty much any store with a pharmacy and you’ll see a promotion about getting your flu shot. However, while this is widely popular, there are several factors to consider before you decide to get the flu vaccine for your family, including effectiveness, ingredients and side effects. Whether you are pro-vaccination or prefer to forego, there are many strategies to prevent getting the flu in addition to the vaccination – all of which are very readily available.
THE BASICS ABOUT THE FLU
The flu is caused by Type A or Type B influenza viruses. Most seasonal flu viruses are particularly active between October – May, but it most commonly peaks between December and February. Symptoms present themselves as: fever, headache, fatigue, muscle aching, dry cough, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, and runny nose. Typically, the onset is quite rapid 12 -24 hours. Because the flu is a virus, antibiotics are not effective. Antibiotics treat bacteria not viruses. However, some individuals, especially immunocompromised have risk to develop secondary infections that are bacterial such as pneumonia, which presents a more serious illness. The flu can cause existing diseases such as heart failure, diabetes, COPD, and asthma to worsen.
The flu spreads from respiratory droplets by sneezing, shaking hands, sharing drinks etc. Because there is a period where a person is contagious before their symptoms appear, it is best to follow the precautions of frequent hand washing and immune supportive measures throughout the entire fall and winter months. People with the flu are contagious 1 day BEFORE and up to 7 days AFTER symptoms begin. Only lab confirmation can detect whether flu-like symptoms, including serious complications like pneumonia, are caused by influenza viruses or other types of viral or bacterial organisms. Important to note, there are other viruses and bacteria associated with “flu-like” symptoms and it is estimated that the majority of all flu-like illness that occurs every year during the “flu season” is not type A or type B influenza.
HOW IS THE FLU VACCINE MADE?
Each year health officials inoculate this year’s virus into chickens. The flu shot is unique to each flu season. Scientists try to predict which strains of the virus will predominate. Then, they take the created viral strains which elicits an immune reaction in the human body so you create your own defense “antibodies” against the flu. Antibodies are the body’s way of fighting an illness.
IF I GET THE FLU VACCINE AM I IMMEDIATELY IMMUNE?
No. It takes about two weeks after you are vaccinated for your body to create the immunity antibodies. It would be advantageous if the exact flu strain afflicting our region is used, however this is often not the case. This explains why you can still get the flu if you have been vaccinated. This grey area is why a lot of controversy exists about whether or not the flu vaccine is effective. A resource to learn more is the CDC’s “Flu View” which updates weekly.
IS THERE MORE THAN ONE TYPE OF FLU VACCINE AVAILABLE?
Yes. There are two types of influenza vaccines available in the U.S.: inactivated injectable influenza vaccine and live attenuated influenza vaccine, which is inhaled through the nose. Inactivated, injectable influenza vaccines in multi-dose vials contain the mercury preservative thimerosal, but the inactivated influenza vaccines in single dose vials are thimerosal-free or contain trace amounts of the mercury preservative. The live attenuated nasal influenza vaccine does not contain thimerosal. Most vaccines are grown in egg protein.
The following ingredients can be found in some of the different flu vaccines: Aluminum; Formaldehyde; Trace antibiotics; Aluminum — a neurotoxin that has been linked to Alzheimer’s disease; Triton X-100 — a detergent; Phenol (carbolic acid); Ethylene glycol (antifreeze); Betapropiolactone – a disinfectant; Nonoxynol – used to kill or stop growth of STDs; Octoxinol 9 – a vaginal spermicide; Sodium phosphate.
I would encourage reading through the vaccine inserts and researching those ingredients, many of which may have negative impact on the neurological system. For reference, ingredients for all vaccines can be found here and manufacturer inserts for all vaccines are here.
Pregnant women should be aware that the flu vaccine often contains Thimerosal, which is a mercury derivative. Mercury is toxic to the brain and has been found to be associated with brain damage and developmental delays in babies whose mothers were exposed to high levels of mercury during pregnancy. Testing has not been done on the effects of these vaccines, alone or in combination, on the unborn children of pregnant women who receive them. Of note, there are thimerosal free options to discuss with your physician.
TYPES OF VACCINES AVAILABLE:
Several types of vaccines are available. Single-dose vaccines such as Fluzone contain a purified, inert virus that is incapable of causing infection and tends to be free of mercury. Nasal spray such as FluMist contains a small amount of a weakened live virus which might make this form slightly more effective but also poses a higher risk for side effects and complications. These are mercury-free and not for pregnant women or children 6-24 months. Some pre-filled syringes such as Afluria are mercury-free. However, multi-dose vaccines tend to contain the most mercury.
VACCINE POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS
The flu IM shot commonly causes mild side effects such as swelling at the injection site, muscle aches, mild fever, headache, and nausea. The nasal spray may also cause sneezing, wheezing, runny nose or cough. The CDC recommends monitoring for serious but rare side effects such as allergic reactions, high fever, behavior changes, and Guillain-Barre Syndrome. If more serious side effects are noted you should present them immediately to a physician.
Those who are pro-immunization assert that the quantity of additives in vaccines is too small to cause health problems. Those cautious of flu vaccination state that the data is not conclusive and that there is not data on the cumulative exposure of injected toxins. They state there is no definitive data on the synergistic effect of multiple additives given with the vaccination at once. With a recommendation for annual flu vaccination beginning at 6 months of age, a baby born today could receive 70+ flu vaccinations over a lifetime.
VACCINE EFFICACY
The influenza virus strains evolve every year. Nobody can predict exactly what strain will emerge this year or how virulent it will be. This makes it challenging for experts to create an effective vaccine. The World Health Organization is responsible for choosing the three or four strains of the virus that are most likely to cause illness each winter. These are the ones included in the flu vaccine. The flu vaccine is most effective when it contains virus strains that match those circulating in the population.
Whether you choose to get vaccinated for the flu season or not, I recommend doing other immune supportive and flu preventing strategies.
WAYS TO PREVENT AND TREAT VIRUSES SUCH AS INFLUENZA NATURALLY:
Wash hands regularly. When you do, clean your hands for 15 seconds at minimum. A vigorous lather of soap on your hands will wash viruses down the drain. Do this every time you cough and sneeze. Always wash before preparing food.
Cover your entire face when you cough or sneeze. Sometimes it’s easiest to do so by putting your face in the corner of your elbow crease if a tissue is not readily available. It can cover more surface area and reduce the spread of the virus. Be sure to follow with another hand washing.
Avoid close contact….well, as much as you can without alienating yourself from the world. Please skip sharing a soda and popcorn at the movies. In a more serious vein, you should avoid crowded public places. And if you do feel ill, be courteous and stay at home or keep your child at home. Do not go into work or send a sick child to school.
Sleep more. Good sleep is foundational to having a healthy immune system. Going to bed and waking at the same time every day and getting at least 8 hours as adults and 10+ hours a night for children depending on the age. During sleep the most critical repair of cells occurs.
Nourish yourself and your family with home-made and whole foods. Nutrition cannot be ignored as one of the paramount preventative strategies. The number one food group to avoid is sugar. That means cutting out candies, baked goods and sugary drinks.
Preventative measures help to keep you and your family healthy during flu season and all year round. Incorporating health-supporting habits, regardless of whether you are pro-vaccination or prefer to forego, will make you feel more in control of your family’s health overall.
*This advice does not take the place of your physician and is meant for informative purposes only.
