The latest panic on the street is the flu -- it's coming, it's here, what should I do?
For starters -- relax. We all know that stress can make us sick, so stressing over getting the flu, well, that just can't be good.
People are scared that there won't be enough flu vaccine to go around, and wondering whether they should get a shot in the first place. Now think about it -- your odds of catching the flu are 50/50 with or without the vaccine, and with the shot 60/40, so they say. But according to Dr. J. Anthony Morris, the former Chief Vaccine Control Officer at the FDA, "There is no evidence that any influenza vaccine, thus far developed, is effective in preventing or mitigating any attack of influenza."
Could the effect of these vaccines mainly be placebo-like or just plain old the magic of believing that because you've gotten the shot, the flu bug can't bite you?
Does geting a flu vaccine make the control freak in us relax a bit, just because we think we did something? But wouldn't it just make more sense to keep your thoughts positive and see yourself healthy and well, then to expose yourself to the possible side effects in these vaccines? And by the way, nobody, not any chemist, doctor, or any expert for that matter, is ever quite sure if they've got the right strain of flu in the shot in the first place, but I guess we should all just hope that somebody guessed right this time.
Looking at the list of chemicals in these shots, a pretty toxic combination, of formaldehyde, aluminum, ethylene glycol (a.k.a. antifreeze), and thimerosol, which is a form of mercury, the most toxic of all heavy metals, is enough to make anyone sick.
So, what is a body to do? How about believing that building a healthy mind and body via positive thoughts, exercise, healthy eating, getting enough rest and sleep, should go along way to helping you avoid the flu, and if you do get it, you will be able to keep the damn thing under control.
Oh, and wash your hands -- a lot. Try not to rub your eyes and nose. And most of all -- avoid people with the flu.
And if you've got it, stay home, and keep it to yourself.
Related Coverage:
- Suffolk Notebook: County Executive Urges All to Get Flu Shots
- Blog: Flu Resources for Parents and Teachers
- Blog: Should Long Islanders Be Worried This Flu Season?
- Blog: Doggie Flu Season
