kiss me, I kiss somebody else...etc.  We all know how it spreads.

Frankly I think this is way over blown.  The swine flu seems to be milder than the "normal flu" we get each year.

But it's certainly in the news and we do kiss..don't we!

Personally, I hate shots and needles of all types, and will avoid unless necessary...

This is one of those times.  At present, this new strain of flu appears to be no worse than regular flu.  Problem is that most of us have never been exposed to this new strain, so we will probably be more susceptible to contracting it.  Immunization to it would therefore seem to recommended.

Note that I am not a medical professional, so I can only tell you what my strategy is in dealing with this.  Hopefully, your post will encourage some of those who are medical pros here to weigh in with their opinions and advice...

not me, I saw on the news last night, that they are going to distribute something that hasnt been fully tested and THINK might be safe,
it might cause more problems then it will circumvent,
I will take my chances, no shots for me, or my family this year!

I mean I am no doctor but every time I got a vaccine as a kid and teenager and past then I have gotten sick so just my point of view I do not get vaccines for common viruses such as the flu and such its a waste of time and money

I'm not high risk for complications (very old, compromised immune system, etc.), so I'll skip. The times I was forced to get flu shots in the military, I ended up sick as a dog. I haven't gotten them since, and haven't had a problem.

I understand why some people might want them, but not me. This seems to be 1 part fact and 9 parts media-driven frenzy.

(still not a doctor)

Do a google search to educate yourself.

I have been in a nursing home where everyone was sick and I never had a problem. I changed diapers, sheets and cleaned god knows what else, helped prepare food and answer phones. Many staffers were down for the count and the nursing home had to close their doors to family visits for a week. Elderly are the first to get flu shots.

I don't trust the drug companies or the FDA that pads the deepest pockets in this country.

Kisses Haley

Hope you don't get sick this winter!  Decades ago, my father swore he got Hong Kong Flu as a result of being immunized.  Maybe he was right, but...if this strain mutates into something deadly, you'll wish you had taken the shot.  In most years, I would agree with you...not this year...

well , if I die, I was meant to go, its my turn, and if I am meant to live, I will live,
but if I do get sick, and die.then I wont have to worry about paying taxes, or worry about the health care problem.
I am not afraid of death, as I have a clear conscience and do good things and help others.

I am on immune supressing medications.  I always get flu shots recommended.  i have never gotten sock from them.
Some "anti-flu" treatments use live virus...  I would take them.  Anti-flu shots using killed viruses, ok.  
skb

The letter from the school has said that local doctors are diagnosing cases of this type of flu now, which is early for the flu.  They also said it was milder than the seasonal flu and is not a super bug.  There are no plans to close the school and keep children home out of fear.  And if testing were done, there would be thousands of cases in every community this year.

1. There are a multitude of strains of the flu - some wimpy, some deadly, many in-between. We get flu shots for protection just in case there's a deadly strain floating around.

2. ALL flu shots contain an inactivated strain of the virus. The virus is dead, and cannot give you the flu. It's purpose is to "fool" your body into creating antibodies, so it's possible you could experience some flu symptoms without actually having the disease.

3. Sometimes "live" virus cultures are given in the form of a nasal spray. This is an "attenuated" virus - it's been weakened to the point that it could possibly survive in the nose or throat, but could not survive in the lungs. The CDC says you can't get the flu from an attenuated virus either.

to strengthen your immune system with herbs. Some you can get as an extract or tincture, while others are easily incorporated into your diet. I've been taking a variety of herbs for a number of years. I've never gotten the flu, and rarely feel even under the weather.

Some of the best are:

Astragalus
St John's wort
Sage
Honey
Shiitake mushrooms
Cat's claw
Echinacea
Ginseng
Elderberry
Garlic

Many of these can also be infused into very tasty teas.

The little buggers get to drunk after being in my blood stream to infect me.

Don't knock it, I haven't had the flu since childhood which was before I started self inoculating.

China is sending over a vacine to Mexico, I think it's some of GG's home brew.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-08/22/content_11925175.htm

I don't know if you've ever tried the stuff. If you can imagine sake on steroids? that's what the stuff is like.

Most injectable vaccines are made from killed viruses/bacteria, only a part of the virus/bacterium, or from some by-product it produces. They only need to have enough of the virus/bacteria/toxin to train your immune system know that it's a foreign substance.

However, the oral form of the polio vaccine, nasal administered flu vaccine, and some other vaccines are made from live viruses. Of course, the virus is modified so that it's highly unlikely to be infectious. Very rare infections do occur, so (like a lot in life) you have to evaluate risk vs. reward. The infections from polio vaccinations (if I remember correctly) were from the live, oral form of the vaccine.

Me, I'll get just about any vaccination I can, especially for stuff that can kill me.