There is no question in my mind that children with health conditions and their caregivers should get the H1N1 shot to protect themselves. Your child is at a disadvantage in not being completely healthy, so anything you can do to keep them from getting sick is necessary.
As for the general population it's a choice.
My thoughts are it's best to let your child's immune system fend for itself so long as your kid is healthy. Being a little sick here and there is not a bad thing. Think of it as preparing itself to fight of the serious health threats.
Coulda...woulda...shoulda?....you can live in a plastic bubble and get sick or just be normal and sail healthily through the winter time...there are no guarantees.
As for getting to protect the already ill? That's like looking for a needle in a haystack...you're gambling. If you are around 'sick' people than maybe you should but under normal circumstances it doesn't make sense.
We are very lucky to have this type of preventative medicine available to us but don't forget their are always too sides to every coin...
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Friday, November 6, 2009
SHOULD YOUR KIDS GET THE THE H1N1 OR FLU SHOT?
As I'm sure you're aware this debate has been festering for months now on whether or not you should immunize your children against the flu virus and now the H1N1 (swine flu).
The later being potentially dangerous because it attacks the respiratory system (targeting the lungs), causing breathing problems (pneumonia) and potential issues with vital organs.
According to the World Health Organization this is the first time a flu epidemic has been declared in 41 year. The high risk groups include children under 2, people over age 65 and those with predisposed health conditions.
The Swine Flu is spread mainly by sneezing and coughing, touching and infected surface and putting your hands to your nose or mouth.
The flu is usually not a worry among the vast majority of healthy people.
My initial thoughts are that it is very important to let our children build up their own immune systems naturally, so they are able to fight off things like the flu. If we make our children's bodies dependant on protection then they have a greater chance of becoming really sick if they don't get their shot.
I grew up on a farm and we used to literally play around shit...ha...of course we washed up before dinner but not when we were sitting in the shed munching on the stale cereal (froot loops/cheerios) that had been dumped on the dirty floor to add to the livestock menu. Smile. YUMMMY!
The last time I was ever sick in bed was when I was 8 and we think that was food poisoning...and that was almost 19 years ago. My parents belief...let our bodies fight things off themselves...if you don't then you are screwed when you really get sick...your body just can't fight because it doesn't know how. Makes sense to me...
Now we seem to be WAY over doing it. Having our kids wash their hands after picking up a freakin piece of paper?? Easy now...we need to settle down and be 'normal' about this.
It's a personal choice of course and I think there are people that do need the flu shot or H1N1. My daughter does because she has had health complications since birth and anything we can do to lower her risk of getting sick is done without question because her risk is much higher than the average person to get deathly ill. She will get the H1N1 because the Swine Flu is generally more dangerous than the regular flu.
Now I will not get the H1N1 shot because I am not a high risk.
Could I catch it? Of course I could. You could live in a plastic bubble and catch it or you could just be relaxed about everything and stay clear...just don't forget there are exceptions to every rule.
As for getting immunized so you don't pass it along to high risk people...that is a huge generalization. It's a gamble....get the shot and still get sick...skip the shot and skip the flu.
Did little old Mrs. Keely get the Swine Flu from Sally, Joe, Bob or Fred?...or what about that cute little pig she likes to cuddle on Grampa Rick's farm?....smile
The later being potentially dangerous because it attacks the respiratory system (targeting the lungs), causing breathing problems (pneumonia) and potential issues with vital organs.
According to the World Health Organization this is the first time a flu epidemic has been declared in 41 year. The high risk groups include children under 2, people over age 65 and those with predisposed health conditions.
The Swine Flu is spread mainly by sneezing and coughing, touching and infected surface and putting your hands to your nose or mouth.
The flu is usually not a worry among the vast majority of healthy people.
My initial thoughts are that it is very important to let our children build up their own immune systems naturally, so they are able to fight off things like the flu. If we make our children's bodies dependant on protection then they have a greater chance of becoming really sick if they don't get their shot.
I grew up on a farm and we used to literally play around shit...ha...of course we washed up before dinner but not when we were sitting in the shed munching on the stale cereal (froot loops/cheerios) that had been dumped on the dirty floor to add to the livestock menu. Smile. YUMMMY!
The last time I was ever sick in bed was when I was 8 and we think that was food poisoning...and that was almost 19 years ago. My parents belief...let our bodies fight things off themselves...if you don't then you are screwed when you really get sick...your body just can't fight because it doesn't know how. Makes sense to me...
Now we seem to be WAY over doing it. Having our kids wash their hands after picking up a freakin piece of paper?? Easy now...we need to settle down and be 'normal' about this.
It's a personal choice of course and I think there are people that do need the flu shot or H1N1. My daughter does because she has had health complications since birth and anything we can do to lower her risk of getting sick is done without question because her risk is much higher than the average person to get deathly ill. She will get the H1N1 because the Swine Flu is generally more dangerous than the regular flu.
Now I will not get the H1N1 shot because I am not a high risk.
Could I catch it? Of course I could. You could live in a plastic bubble and catch it or you could just be relaxed about everything and stay clear...just don't forget there are exceptions to every rule.
As for getting immunized so you don't pass it along to high risk people...that is a huge generalization. It's a gamble....get the shot and still get sick...skip the shot and skip the flu.
Did little old Mrs. Keely get the Swine Flu from Sally, Joe, Bob or Fred?...or what about that cute little pig she likes to cuddle on Grampa Rick's farm?....smile
Sunday, November 1, 2009
WHEN A CRISIS HITS LEARN NOT TO PANICK
I know it is very difficult not to panic, especially when your child is in danger and emotions are involved.
But it does not help anybody if you get freaky when trouble passes your way.
First off your child does not to see you react negatively, that will only get them more upset. Your children take cue from you on how to respond to things. If your little ones scrapes his/her knee and you go running over and make a big fuss over it, they will over react with you.
If you don't focus on it and ignore it for the most part they will realize it's nothing big and will continue on playing instead of whining.
With more serious issues, lets say you just found out your 4 year old has to go in for another stomach surgery, it's not something you want to hear but it does not help anybody for you to get all worked up.
You need to bring it into perspective, understand it's a bump in the road and that your child will be better for it, although it may not feel like it right now.
If you start questioning the doctor in front of your child and talking about how long it's going to take to recover and all of the different risks, you are only going to make it more difficult for your child.
At four year of age your child will not understand a lot about it. Do not cause them anxiety by telling them too soon...a few days before is plenty of time because surprising them with it will scare them more.
Do not give them the scary details. Don't lie to them but only tell them what they need to know and keep it positive. Tell them about getting to have ice-cream afterwards...how it's going to make them feel better when they are healed...a special 'surprise' they will be getting...do they want to bring their favorite slippers?...how about some special story books to read.
You need to make sure you focus them on things that make them happy. Do not focus on the scary stuff...getting needles, taking medicine, getting cut, stomach pain, no eating for two or three days...etc.
Be composed when you do tell them. Don't let them see you get upset and be careful what you are saying to people when they are in sight. You don't need them hearing your 'worries' when confiding in a friend...very tough to undo that.
They need to trust you and know that you are not lying to them 'for the moment' but that you are only telling them what they need to hear.
If they ask you if it's going to hurt you need to tell her yes...BUT....answer the questions and them take the focus to something positive. It will hurt but the doctor is going to give you medicine to make you feel better and you will probably get stickers for being so brave...
that sort of thing...
The main point being that YOU need to keep calm and make sure things stay in perspective. Of course you will have your worries but you need to make sure you deal with them 'properly?'
Make sure your child is not around and that you are not blowing things out of proportions. Try not to look at the 'whatifs'...just the facts. What is being done and why...look for the positives in it.
I know that is very difficult when it's your little one we are talking about but believe me when I say the best thing for everybody is accept it, deal with it and move forward...minus the drama if possible.
Keep smiling and looking for the positive...
But it does not help anybody if you get freaky when trouble passes your way.
First off your child does not to see you react negatively, that will only get them more upset. Your children take cue from you on how to respond to things. If your little ones scrapes his/her knee and you go running over and make a big fuss over it, they will over react with you.
If you don't focus on it and ignore it for the most part they will realize it's nothing big and will continue on playing instead of whining.
With more serious issues, lets say you just found out your 4 year old has to go in for another stomach surgery, it's not something you want to hear but it does not help anybody for you to get all worked up.
You need to bring it into perspective, understand it's a bump in the road and that your child will be better for it, although it may not feel like it right now.
If you start questioning the doctor in front of your child and talking about how long it's going to take to recover and all of the different risks, you are only going to make it more difficult for your child.
At four year of age your child will not understand a lot about it. Do not cause them anxiety by telling them too soon...a few days before is plenty of time because surprising them with it will scare them more.
Do not give them the scary details. Don't lie to them but only tell them what they need to know and keep it positive. Tell them about getting to have ice-cream afterwards...how it's going to make them feel better when they are healed...a special 'surprise' they will be getting...do they want to bring their favorite slippers?...how about some special story books to read.
You need to make sure you focus them on things that make them happy. Do not focus on the scary stuff...getting needles, taking medicine, getting cut, stomach pain, no eating for two or three days...etc.
Be composed when you do tell them. Don't let them see you get upset and be careful what you are saying to people when they are in sight. You don't need them hearing your 'worries' when confiding in a friend...very tough to undo that.
They need to trust you and know that you are not lying to them 'for the moment' but that you are only telling them what they need to hear.
If they ask you if it's going to hurt you need to tell her yes...BUT....answer the questions and them take the focus to something positive. It will hurt but the doctor is going to give you medicine to make you feel better and you will probably get stickers for being so brave...
that sort of thing...
The main point being that YOU need to keep calm and make sure things stay in perspective. Of course you will have your worries but you need to make sure you deal with them 'properly?'
Make sure your child is not around and that you are not blowing things out of proportions. Try not to look at the 'whatifs'...just the facts. What is being done and why...look for the positives in it.
I know that is very difficult when it's your little one we are talking about but believe me when I say the best thing for everybody is accept it, deal with it and move forward...minus the drama if possible.
Keep smiling and looking for the positive...
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