H1N1 - What to do?

Ashlee - posted on 10/13/2009

I have absolutely no intention of getting the vaccine. I have not heard enough research to suggest that the risks outweigh the benefits for me to do it. It seems that the swine flu itself is no worse than the regular seasonal flu and I don't intend on getting that vaccine either.

Myra - posted on 10/11/2009

I am honestly against pregnant women getting such new things with unknown effects on fetuses. However, with your career and having a daughter in a high risk category based on her age group, it may be best if you get it because you are at very high risk. However, if you practice good hygiene and prevention methods and do your best to avoid exposure, you could slide by just fine without the shot.

I think this is an issue you should carefully discuss with your significant other and your doctor...of course your doctor will be for it, but they may know of some potential side effects or risks the general public aren't aware of. When you make your decision, just make sure it is based on factual information from reputable sources, and not fear of either getting the flu or getting the shot.

Sarah - posted on 10/07/2009

I am going to get it. I was leery at first about getting it for myself or my son, but my ob/gyn who is also my sons pediatrician strongly recommends it. I've known him a long time and trust him very much so me and my son are getting it.

Rebecca - posted on 10/01/2009

I work at a child care centre and am 19 weeks preggers, I am unsure whether to get the H1N1, I think it is a good idea but would like for it to be trialled more, but I will be asking my doc on her opinion when I see her. Still unsure......

April - posted on 09/30/2009

My OB was animent about me getting one. I am high risk anyway for flu complications and they think the benefits outweight the risks. After much thought and prayer since the whole issue started I will be getting one as soon as I can. I work in a school and would like to live to see my baby. This pregnancy already has been rough, I think I have been exposed to more stuff than I could imagine from shingles, hand, foot and mouth and having broncitis to getting lice and a horrible cold since school started. I don't think I want to take my chances with the swine flu. If you choose to get it make sure you request a mercury (thermerisol) free vaccine for both seasonal and swine flu.

Jessica - posted on 09/16/2009

My OB/GYN said to get one, the office should be getting a shipment in. But that could just be her opinion.

Reidena - posted on 09/16/2009

I contracted swine flu a month ago (when I was 15wks pregnant) and after my course of Tamiflu I have finally recovered, I heard that since I have had it and been treated I am now immune to swine flu, does anyone know if thats true?

Amanda - posted on 09/12/2009

I get the flu shot every year, just because I work in health care and have never got the flu, since I started getting the shot. I am still nervous about the H1N1 vaccine thought, just because of the nerve damage that has happened to those who received it in studies. I was informed there is also not going to be enough to go around and pregnant women are number one on the list to recieve followed by 6-month old infants and up. The elderly are last. I guess I will just wait until my next appt. and talk to my doctor about it.

Christina - posted on 09/11/2009

Quoting Bethany:

We don't get flu shots and won't get any this year either. Honestly, the H1N1 hasn't had enough testing for me to be comfortable with it... even if we got regular flu vaccinations. The last time there was a swine flu "epidemic," the vaccine killed more people than the actual disease, not to mention all the bad side effects from an improperly-tested drug. I don't know if you've read this, but right now many many health professionals are refusing to get the swine flu vaccine. That says volumes on how safe this stuff really is. Just food for thought, perhaps. :)

I agree totally! This vacine has not been out long enough and has not been tested on enough people for me to even consider getting it. I have a two year old who will be in prek this year and I dont plan on getting the shot for him either. I never do the flu shot for either of us and will not do it again this year.  The way I see it to each its own. If you feel like doing it do it but if you dont trust dont do it. Dont do somthing because someone else tells you too.

Bethany - posted on 09/04/2009

We don't get flu shots and won't get any this year either. Honestly, the H1N1 hasn't had enough testing for me to be comfortable with it... even if we got regular flu vaccinations. The last time there was a swine flu "epidemic," the vaccine killed more people than the actual disease, not to mention all the bad side effects from an improperly-tested drug. I don't know if you've read this, but right now many many health professionals are refusing to get the swine flu vaccine. That says volumes on how safe this stuff really is. Just food for thought, perhaps. :)

Christina - posted on 09/03/2009

I don't like vaccinations at the best of times and of course it is in the best interest of vaccine manufacturers and Dr's who get kick backs for prescribing to say it's safe.

I am a BIG believer in stats - I just don't think we've seen it long enough yet to look at it objectively.

Shannon - posted on 09/02/2009

Well, I am 16 week with my second child and as a microbiologist (currently involved in a few viral studies) I will be getting both the regular influenza and the H1N1 vaccines as soon as they are available. The vaccines themselves are safe (says a great deal of good research...and my ob) but getting the flu when you're pregnant can be really bad. In fact the worldwide percentage of women with flu that have died from H1N1 is over 6% (the non-preggers rate? 1%!).



Just thought I'd share.

Bobbi - posted on 08/04/2009

I won't be doing it. I didn't get the regular flu vac w/ DD #1 and I won't be doing the swine flu one either...that's just me.

Tamara - posted on 08/03/2009

I'm stay at home with my kids, but my daughter will be in 2nd grade this year, I've never gotten a regular flu shot and unless my dr. gives me good reason to get it I don't think I will. We are always good about washing hands and using sanitizer, especially in the winter. Our house has been lucky also, in that we've never had a lot of illness pass though any winter.

April - posted on 08/01/2009

I too work in an elementary school and have a toddler. This flu really scares me, but I already don't like vaccines as it is. I had already said I would fight my pediatrician on using it on my daughter and now I have to decide whether to use it on myself. I am going to ask my ob/gyn at my next visit this month what her opinion is.

Heather - posted on 07/31/2009

I know, I am the same way... I don't want to get the swine flu but I am also afraid to get the vaccine since it will be new... I'm not sure what to do, either!