Celiac Disease And Swine Flu

[shayesmom]

Several of my daughter's friends were diagnosed with H1N1. One ended up in the emergency room. The others recovered very quickly (as did my daughter who exhibited the same symptoms....which lasted the better part of ONE day). The one who needed emergency care was the only one who received a seasonal flu vaccine just 1 week before coming down with the virus. I found that interesting in light of the anomaly of the study in Canada suggesting seasonal flu vaccine could make individuals more susceptible to H1N1. I believe that study was "debunked"....but it was interesting nonetheless. All recovered well.

All in all, this illness was milder than most in our case. We hit the sambucus, probiotics and Vitamin D3 pretty hard. Residual effects were a cough for about 4 days. Nothing major. I agree with gfp. Much of this depends on the individual's immune system health. I am shocked that my husband and I didn't catch this virus (especially in light of the fact my daughter and I shared a smoothie the day before her fever started). But then again, we'd all been on a maintenance dose of sambucus and Vitamin D3.

We no longer do the flu shots. None of us have ever been prone to getting the flu. My daughter is still living with the residual effects of a flu vaccine given over 5 years ago. One I was strong-armed into getting for her and of course, once there was a problem, the pediatrician ran as fast as she could in the other direction. That was our family's one and only experience with the flu shot. And we won't be repeating it.

I am however a bit upset at the fact that the health department is going to be having a flu vaccine clinic at my daughter's school. They will be offering BOTH the live, attenuated and the inactivated vaccines to the school children. I have a bit of a problem with the live virus being administered in the school. I don't see how they'll be able to effectively address the viral shedding that occurs for 7-21 days after the vaccine is given. As FMcGee said, schools are hotbeds for germs. And now we're deliberately bringing a live one into this environment which could infect those who may not be able to get a vaccine, or who simply don't want one. I guess I wish they'd pick a more "controlled" enviroment in which to administer it.

[gfp]

>>The topic is about whether celiac disease increases risk from swine flu. Let's stay on topic, please.

With all due respect the vaccination may be harder on those with over active immune systems.

It doesn't need to be the actual non-live flu viri ... because it could be an immune response from something else in the vaccine.

When a vaccine is hurried (as the case for H1N1) then the longer term auto immune testing is the last to be done.

I am neither saying get it or not here ... rather think about it carefully.

The fact that government sponsored health care is by definition about the overall health of the nation not individuals is relevant. The government wants to protect the health of a nation, avoid epidemics and large scale death ... and it should. This can however at times be at conflict with the health of minority groups such as celiacs.

What is certain is that not everyone reacts badly to vaccinations and that some small groups of people do react badly to some vaccinations. Some people never get flu or colds and many rarely get flu or colds.

I managed to skip chicken pox or at least was not ill beyond a low grade fever whereas my brother was almost hospitalized. My brother almost certainly got it from me....

Its not simple and the message is that what is good for the nation is not necessarily best for you.

Government funded medicare is primarily driven by what costs the least and immunization against flu is cheaper than treating it. It is not a conspiracy in any way shape or form... this is the government being (to some extent or other) careful spending your taxes...

We could argue why pay for medicare out of tax or that everyone should get free medicare ... either way it is still the responsibility of the government to ensure it is spent efficiently. (Many may feel it is not but whether it is AS efficient as it could be is not the question).

[Swimmr]

I haven't taken it and will not take it the H1N1 vaccination.

I did however get the regular flu shot...by husband's request. This is the first year I've EVER had the flu shot. He has to since he's in the Army. I used to get bronchitis quite often, and the regular sinus infection if I wasn't on meds for it. But the past 2-some years (since going gluten free) the prevalence of sickness has been almost non-existent.

I would think if you are prone to infections and have low immunity (regardless of Celiac), then yes, but a correlation strictly between Celiac and H1N1? Nah, I wouldn't think so.