Flu season ramping up, vaccine not a good match for current flu

[Brian4Liberty]

Get ready for the flu, it's a particularly nasty one this year, and the flu vaccine did not include the variant of the flu that is now spreading.

[Brian4Liberty]

Doctors report spike in respiratory illness, flu cases

You’re probably hearing about it from friends and co-workers. People all around you are getting the flu or at least getting flu-like symptoms.

The state Department of Health says there’s been a spike in the past few weeks of respiratory illnesses, which include the flu. Even if you’ve taken the flu shot, you’re still susceptible to getting the influenza virus which causes the flu.
...
http://khon2.com/2016/03/16/doctors-...ess-flu-cases/

[Kotin]

the flu vaccine did not include the variant of the flu that is now spreading.

it never will.. RNA viruses like the flu mutate at much higher rates and are much more difficult to vaccinate against. honestly it is pretty unlikely that this could ever work.. DNA viruses are much easier to develop a vaccine for.

[Brian4Liberty]

it never will.. RNA viruses like the flu mutate at much higher rates and are much more difficult to vaccinate against. honestly it is pretty unlikely that this could ever work.. DNA viruses are much easier to develop a vaccine for.

But there's a global organization that takes a wild ass guess at what will happen next year, specifies a few variants for the next year's vaccine, and the vaccine industry produces the annual vaccine which the media and medical industry tells everyone they should get. How could that fail?

[Kotin]

But there's a global organization that takes a wild ass guess at what will happen next year, specifies a few variants for the next year's vaccine, and the vaccine industry produces the annual vaccine which the media and medical industry tells everyone they should get. How could that fail?

LOL.. thats the funniest part.. they should know that there is no way they are giving anyone the proper immunity.. any sophomore molecular bio major could tell you that.

[Brian4Liberty]

BRADENTON (FOX 13) - It got off to a slow start, but the 2016 flu season is hitting hard.

[Brian4Liberty]

LOL.. thats the funniest part.. they should know that there is no way they are giving anyone the proper immunity.. any sophomore molecular bio major could tell you that.

Close enough for government work...

[Zippyjuan]

Woman near me died from the flu this week. She was in her thirties and ate right and exercised six days a week. Found it:

http://www.cw6sandiego.com/flu-victi...-take-anybody/

Local flu victim’s family: “Flu doesn’t discriminate. It will take anybody.”

SAN DIEGO — The San Diego County Health and Human Services agency just reported 15 new flu-related deaths, bringing the season’s total to 41.

On Thursday night, hear the exclusive story of one victim who does not fit the typical profile of someone who would die from the flu.

A healthy 35-year-old woman who worked out, ate right, and was the picture of perfect health, was overcome by the virus and died unexpectedly last week. She is one of six recent flu death victims who had no underlying conditions.

CW6’s Laura Cavanaugh shares her exclusive story and an important warning from her loved ones: “Flu doesn’t discriminate. It will take anybody.”

She worked as a hygenist for the same dentist I go to.

It is true that the flu vaccine cannot protect against every variation of the flu virus (there are thousands). Even if the vaccine was 100% effective against the ones it was designed for, there is always a newer version which pops up it wasn't designed to combat. If you were exposed to one variation of the flu, you have immunity against it. When a new one hits you, you may get sick from it. Getting a flu vaccine does not mean you cannot catch the flu.

Since the vaccine does not cover all strains, there will always be a strain not in the vaccine which is able to spread.

[Brian4Liberty]

BRADENTON (FOX 13) - It got off to a slow start, but the 2016 flu season is hitting hard.

Spanish flu? More:

According to the CDC, the most common strain of the virus spreading around the country this year is a H1N1.

"It's the strain from 2009," said Epps. "That's when healthy young adults were getting sick and having complications."

[Brian4Liberty]

Woman near me died from the flu this week. She was in her thirties and ate right and exercised six days a week. Found it:

http://www.cw6sandiego.com/flu-victi...-take-anybody/



She worked as a hygenist for the same dentist I go to.

Probably cytokine storm, possibly SIRS.

[Brian4Liberty]

The number of hits for "flu" on Google (news) has increased today, just within the past 12 hours.

One example:
Following 'humongous' increase in patients with flu-like symptoms, officials say get vaccinated
http://www.southernminn.com/northfie...d6e1293e6.html

[Intoxiklown]

This is why I have stocks of Tamiflu, and anyone with access should do the same.

[Chester Copperpot]

Woman near me died from the flu this week. She was in her thirties and ate right and exercised six days a week. Found it:

http://www.cw6sandiego.com/flu-victi...-take-anybody/



She worked as a hygenist for the same dentist I go to.

It is true that the flu vaccine cannot protect against every variation of the flu virus (there are thousands). Even if the vaccine was 100% effective against the ones it was designed for, there is always a newer version which pops up it wasn't designed to combat. If you were exposed to one variation of the flu, you have immunity against it. When a new one hits you, you may get sick from it. Getting a flu vaccine does not mean you cannot catch the flu.

Since the vaccine does not cover all strains, there will always be a strain not in the vaccine which is able to spread.

I think the best anti-viral defense of the flu is adequate iodine in the body. It is preferable to me than some aluminum containing flu shot

[brandon]

Umm actually, this years flu vaccine is one of the more effective ones. http://www.inquisitr.com/2835403/201...t-of-patients/


I got hit with the flu BAD this year. I'm on day 8 of recovery and still really messed up. I have decided that I will start getting the flu vaccine every year from now on. This $#@! is ridiculous.

[brandon]

Seriously what is up with the title of this thread? Posted by a moderator no less? It's completely false.... is this place really spreading some idiotic anti-science agenda now?

[angelatc]

Umm actually, this years flu vaccine is one of the more effective ones. http://www.inquisitr.com/2835403/201...t-of-patients/


I got hit with the flu BAD this year. I'm on day 8 of recovery and still really messed up. I have decided that I will start getting the flu vaccine every year from now on. This $#@! is ridiculous.

Yes. I think that people over use the word "flu" as in "I missed work because I had a stomach flu," which means that when people get the real flu it doesn't sound as serious to the ear.

A real flu savages you.

[Brian4Liberty]

Seriously what is up with the title of this thread? Posted by a moderator no less? It's completely false.... is this place really spreading some idiotic anti-science agenda now?

The title is hyperbole. As Kotin added, a fully effective flu vaccine is nearly impossible as the flu virus constantly mutates. My point is that people who got the vaccine are still getting the flu this year. The theory is that they might get a less severe case due to the vaccine, but that is also problematic. If the vaccine is a good match for the flu virus going around, then it can be effective. Not a good match this year.

As far as government statistics go, they may be good for year to year comparisons, but they are in no way "scientific", as they don't take into account many variables. It simply looks at number of vaccinations vs. number of confirmed flu cases. It's like measuring the effectiveness of Homeland Security based on how many confirmed terrorist attacks occur.

[Brian4Liberty]

Umm actually, this years flu vaccine is one of the more effective ones. http://www.inquisitr.com/2835403/201...t-of-patients/

I got hit with the flu BAD this year. I'm on day 8 of recovery and still really messed up. I have decided that I will start getting the flu vaccine every year from now on. This $#@! is ridiculous.

Sorry, the vaccine wouldn't have prevented it this year. And your government statistic will be changing before this season is over.

[angelatc]

Sorry, the vaccine wouldn't have prevented it this year. And your government statistic will be changing before this season is over.

You have no evidence to support your contention, and your prediction is not evidence. Brandon' position is indeed backed by evidence.

In the least, the thread title should be edited to indicate [Disputed].

[euphemia]

Wash hands frequently. Keep high-touch surfaces clean. Get plenty of rest. Stay away from sick people. Common sense. I have never had flu in my life.

[Brian4Liberty]

You have no evidence to support your contention, and your prediction is not evidence. Brandon' position is indeed backed by evidence.

In the least, the thread title should be edited to indicate [Disputed].

I am not an anti-vaxxer, but I am not impressed by government statistics and medical industry sales pitches either. The truth is far more complex than "hey look, less people went the hospital with the flu this year so we did a great job!"

[Brian4Liberty]

Wash hands frequently. Keep high-touch surfaces clean. Get plenty of rest. Stay away from sick people. Common sense. I have never had flu in my life.

Colds and flush are mostly airborne. Hand washing is not a bad thing, but it won't stop colds and flus.

Edit: Hand washing is great for preventing food borne and gastrointestinal illnesses.

[euphemia]

Those germs land somewhere. They get on hands that then touch doorknobs, railings, etc. Flu viruses can live on paper money for up to three days.

Stay away from sick people.

[brandon]

"hey look, less people went the hospital with the flu this year so we did a great job!"

DO you really think that is how they evaluate effectiveness of the flu vaccine?

[angelatc]

I am not an anti-vaxxer, but I am not impressed by government statistics and medical industry sales pitches either. The truth is far more complex than "hey look, less people went the hospital with the flu this year so we did a great job!"

Your opinion of the evidence does not mean it isn't evidence. Your title says that the flu vaccine is not a good match for this years strain, but you have not presented any evidence to support that contention,
.

Brandon pointed out that the government says that the vaccine is 60% effective this year and provided evidence to support that contention. Therefore, the title sold be modified to indicate [Disputed.]

[angelatc]

But there's a global organization that takes a wild ass guess ....

Uh, no. They do make a guess but it's an educated guess, based on an analysis of all available evidence.

[Brian4Liberty]

DO you really think that is how they evaluate effectiveness of the flu vaccine?

Pretty much. For example, they vaccinate for H1N1, then they compare that to confirmed cases of H1N1 and whether they were vaccinated or not. It's a statistic, but it's not scientific by any measure. Far too many variables. This is the real world, not a controled laboratory experiment.

[Brian4Liberty]

Uh, no. They do make a guess but it's an educated guess, based on an analysis of all available evidence.

I am well aware of how the process works, and both the value and shortcomings of it.

[Zippyjuan]

I think the best anti-viral defense of the flu is adequate iodine in the body. It is preferable to me than some aluminum containing flu shot

Flu shot does not use any aluminum adjuvant. You are safe on that. You will get exposed to more aluminum by eating food. Only ones in the US which use it are the hepatitis and diptheria vaccines.

[sparebulb]

The act of throwing three flat stones into the river every fortnight at midnight can definitively claim:

That it is effective against catching the flu.

Or, that it reduced the voracity of the flu if someone did catch it.

You people that reject midnight stone throwing are anti-science.