H1N1 Flu vaccinations

From all published reports, the H1N1 vaccination test results are performing exactly as expected. Infants and small children need 2 injections, while older children and adults will require just one.

And just a note, this vaccination is different from the regular flu vaccination that is given yearly.

Feeling leery about getting these shots? It's okay. There are a lot of people that feel the same way. Will getting the shot help me from contracting the flu virus or H1N1? The answer is maybe.

It takes 2 weeks for the H1N1 vaccination to build enough antibodies. If you are exposed before the two weeks or have already contracted it...well, you know the answer to that.

Dr. Oz had several experts from government health organizations on his show last week to talk about the vaccinations and the symptoms for H1N1. For more information, go to http://www.doctoroz.com/. Don't type in "http://www.droz.com unless you want to buy baseball cards.

Our bodies are great at self-healing. Vaccinations are meant to keep us from getting certain diseases or getting life-threatingly sick. Since the discovery of smallpox and polio vaccinations (and many more), life in modern times has gotten better. We live longer. We are healthier.

One of the ways to help yourself is to WASH YOUR HANDS!!!!!!!! I remember a nasty memory while working at a publishing house many years ago. I had just returned to work after being out sick for a week with the flu. I was still weak, but ready to go back to work. While coming out of the bathroom stall, I bumped into one of the department secretaries rushing from her stall. She stopped at the sink long enough to fluff her hair and run out the door, back to her department. She had been in her stall when I came in, doing both a number one and two. I was incredibly grossed out. I over-washed my hands, then scrubbed down the door handle with soap and water before I left. When I got back to my desk, I swabbed down my desk, keyboard and phone with alcohol wipes, then finished with a healthy massage of hand sanitizer. My colleagues asked me what was the matter, and of course, I had to tell them! I asked my supervisor, "What could have been so important that she couldn't stop and wash her hands for 10 seconds?"

Did I get sick because of lack of hand washing (and possibly wiping)? She was in a hurry, after all. I don't know. I've been paying attention to health reports and statistics on office sickness and "sick offices." Isn't it like, 80% of all sickness can be prevented from washing your hands? Geez, with statistics like that, isn't it worth a few extra seconds to wipe, wash your hands with soap and water and rinse?

And yes, it is healthy to get sick...sometimes. When you get sick, it usually means your body is out of whack, whether it is due to stress or injury or trauma or disease. Your immune system, those little soldiers which fight off the bad guys, are overwhelmed. They can't be everywhere. So you get sick. Your body responds by sending your immune system in guerrilla troops to overwhelm the virus, and learn from it. Your immune system-soldiers then learn how to combat the virus and create and release anti-virus bombs to take out the invader. They don't stop until the virus is defeated. And you get better. And now you have "antibodies" to keep you from getting the same illness again. Pretty cool, right?

Now, hold up your right hand and repeat after me: "I solemnly swear that I will wash my hands WITH soap and water EVERY time after I use the bathroom." Thank you. You may never know how many lives you have saved from illness. Rx: Follow this example daily, as many times as needed, to maintain your overall health.

Have a healthy day!