Flu vaccine

[Seabob]

Hi.. There seems to be conflicting views as to whether it's a good idea to have the flu vaccine...I had a THYROIDECTOMY 10years ago...recently been getting shingles so my immune system is low. I work with the elderly so I was entitled to a flu voucher. many thanks.

[dispensing]

Hi ,

For what It's worth , in my opinion with a low immune system It's a no-brainer . My immune system is low after a stem cell transplant . I'm a dispensing optician working with the general public . Very vulnerable , so any issues as a thyroid patient take second place , having my flu jab on Saturday. If your immune system is low and you got the flu , It could turn to pneumonia very quickly . Also the people you work with are vulnerable .

Regards

Alison

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to dispensing]

I would have the no-brainer was the opposite. You have a low immune system so you shouldn't stress it any further with nasty chemicals, you try to rebuild it.

Pneumonia is relatively easy to cure.

Only about 3% of people get flu anyway and the flu vaccine only reduces this to just under 2. Will you be the one person who might have got flu but doesn't? Statistically unlikely. No effect on colds or viruses the vaccine doesn't know about. Priming your immune system against certain viruses (like bird and swine flu) can actually be the thing that kills you as those viruses create a cytokine storm (which is why young and healthy propel suffered more).

Vitamin D seems to be the way to go. And, of course, delicious elderberry cordial

[Seabob in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

Thank you very much...I am getting so much invaluable,help here...I take vit D3 every day but am wary of not taking too much as I read that can be bad..it's getting the right balance.

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to Seabob]

You need to take far more vitamin D to overdose than was previously thought. Best thing is to test regularly - really cheap home tests vitamindtest.org.uk

vitamindcouncil.org/about-v...

[gabkad]

Yes. But also make sure your vitamin D levels are excellent for good immune function.

[Schenks]

Hi; I have been vacillating for years about whether or not to have the flu vaccine - will it make me ill, will it overload my immune system, will it ... Had it last week. Fine - no problem! Bit tired that evening, inoculation site a bit sore/itchy, but nothing to particularly write home about. (Had a subtotal thyroidectomy, last bit no doubt destroyed from radiotherapy, am taking NDT.)

[Seabob in reply to Schenks]

hi..thank you..yes it's a difficult decision!! I a, still feeling rubbish after shingles so not sure if it's a good idea...perhaps I should just ring the doctor for advice!!! Thanks again.

[Pepekins]

I personally would not have the flu jab because whether or not the virus is 'dead' I just don't want more toxins in my blood. We are surrounded and overloaded with toxins, why add more? Having said this, it is such a personal decision depending on your circumstances. e.g. my sister always has the flu jab but she has chest problems. Last year she was really ill after it, but the doc said she would have been worse without it, (that we will never know!). I would try and keep my immune system healthy and give it a boost with vitamin and mineral rich foods, very few carbs (they convert to suagar quickly) so perhaps cut them right down, only a small amount of alcohol !!!! Tons of veggies (not too many root veg, as they also convert to sugar quickly) some good quality meat and some fish, a bit of dairy (no poisonous marg) and I have goats milk or almond milk. A few supplements and a few laughs seem help the immune system enormously. Joking aside it is such a personal decision based on your personal circumstances.

[Seabob in reply to Pepekins]

Hi..thank you so much...my situation is complex as I have no thyroid...I am also,getting over shingles so my immune system is low. My would say I eat fairly healthily generally!! I ordered a Nutribullet to help my immune system...I used it today but it blew up!!! Oh dear!! I probably eat a bit too much chocolate but am trying hard to cut that down too...stress has been overwhelming lately at work and am sure this has triggered my shingles..more stress though thing to find other work! Really appreciate your comments thanks so much..hope alls well with you x

[Pepekins]

I also have no thyroid (13 years) and a bit of dark choc is soooo good for you. Its the stress that's probably to blame. Nutrition is so important for you just now when you are under so much stress... you perhaps need to feed your adrenals as well. I am told by various people that deep breathing is also important as disease can't thrive in oxygenated blood....... so its shoulders down relax the facial muscles too and do some deep breathing as and when you can.

[Seabob in reply to Pepekins]

Thank you...am not overly fond of dark chocolate but I read all the time how much better it is...I would probably get used to it as well. How do I feed my adrenals? I have looked up lots on adrenal function etc...sometimes it's all a bit overwhelming what is the right and wrong thing to do...the deep breathing sounds very good!

[Pepekins in reply to Seabob]

I don't take supplements for the adrenals myself otherwise I would rattle with all the supplements recommended. I try to get most things from good quality food and just take a few supplements. Check out how to boost your adrenals through diet, but trying to de-stress is high on the list .

[Seabob in reply to Pepekins]

Thank you...try to eat healthily...will look more into this...thank you very much.

[Glynisrose]

It depends, personally last time I had the flu jab (many years ago) I had a throat and chest infection which left me incapacitated for 3 weeks - never again!! The main problem was that while my body was struggling to make antibodies to flu viruses, I got everything else!!

[Seabob in reply to Glynisrose]

Oh dear...sorry to hear that..I guess there is no clear answer for this dilemma!

[galathea]

4 out 7 flue jabs still have mercury in them as a preservative. Mercury is supposed to depress the immune system, which is why some people get flue shortly after getting the injection. The flue doesn't come from the injection itself, but as a result of our bodies reduced capacity to fight off the flue.

I wouldn't get one unless I could be sure it was one of the 3 in 7 with mo mercury.

G x

[Marz]

Excellent and informative website - thank you