The Y Files

Hmm...

At thirty dollars a shot a whole lot of money was made in 1976. If you recall the swine flu-shot was administered to our military departments, everyone got a shot and civilians could too but most didn't.

On average yearly more people die from consequences of the flu-shot than from the flu....and my greatest question is, high school biology taught that a virus couldn't couldn't be treated with a vaccine because viruses constantly change...

please name your sources

The CDC

Nonsense. I've subscribed to the CDC and to the Canadian Flu Watch newsletters for years. Nowhere is it mentioned mortality increases with vaccinations. Yes, there have been complications but the same can be said of those who are intolerant of aspirin (my wife being one).

BTW...it's been 30 yrs since I ate junk food and I still got the virus. In my opinion, anybody who tries to sell a homeopathic or likewise remedy for this affliction is actively engaging in a deception and should be prosecuted.

Note: The article below was written in early 2005. On December 10, 2005, the British Medical Journal published a report acknowledging the veracity of this article by substantiating the claim that CDC flu death figures are completely bogus, hyper-inflated to scare the public and sell more flu vaccine.

Every year, just prior to the impending "flu season," the CDC opens with false claims regarding annual flu deaths. The CDC asserts that 36,000 people die every year from the flu. Such scare tactics are calculated to increase flu vaccine sales. However, according to the CDC's own official records documented in National Vital Statistics Reports, only a few hundred people die from influenza (flu) on an average year. And many of these deaths occur in people with preexisting conditions, weakened immune systems, and the elderly. For example, in 2002, 753 people died from the flu. The year before, in 2001, just 257 people died from the flu. (Fifty-nine percent of these deaths occurred in people 75 years or older; 75 percent occurred in people 55 years or older.) To put these numbers in perspective, 3,454 Americans died from malnutrition in 2001 -- 13 times greater than the number of flu deaths! That same year, there were 4,269 deaths attributed to asthma, a condition some studies have linked to vaccines.

To rationalize this discrepancy between the true number of deaths caused by influenza every year (as documented in the CDC's own National Vital Statistics Reports) and the outrageously exaggerated bogus number of flu deaths promoted by the CDC, officials claim that flu often leads to pneumonia and that many deaths from pneumonia are really deaths caused by flu. Apparently the CDC has a secret formula for estimating how many pneumonia deaths (officially listed in the CDC's own National Vital Statistics Reports as deaths from pneumonia, not flu) are really deaths caused by flu. Adding to the confusion, influenza is caused by a virus; pneumonia is caused by bacteria. The CDC's own website takes great pains to emphasize their differences. More importantly, the CDC has a pneumonia vaccine. So why doesn't the CDC promote their pneumonia vaccine? In 2002, 65,231 people died from pneumonia; in 2001, 61,777 people died from pneumonia. If everyone took a pneumonia vaccine, especially the elderly and others most susceptible to the disease, wouldn't they be protected? Why is the CDC promoting a flu vaccine to protect against pneumonia, especially when one disease is caused by a virus and the other by bacteria? Also, how many people who died from pneumonia received a flu vaccine? How many received a pneumonia vaccine?

Flu "experts" often guess wrong. For example, in 1994 they predicted that Shangdong, Texas, and Panama strains would be prevalent that year, thus millions of people were vaccinated with a flu shot that contained these viruses. However, when winter arrived, the Johannesburg and Beijing strains of influenza circulated through society. The vaccine was ineffective. This happened again in 1996, and again in 1997. More recently, the vaccine created for the 2003-2004 flu season contained flu strains that did not circulate through society that year. Officials were once again forced to admit that millions of people were vaccinated with an ineffective vaccine. Yet, flu fatalities did not increase during these years. For example, in 1996, 857 people died from the flu; in 1997, 745 people died from the flu -- typical annual numbers.

The most up-to-date information
on influenza and the flu vaccine
may be found in the book:
Vaccine Safety Manual

http://www.thinktwice.com/vsm.htm

Also, how many people who died from pneumonia received a flu vaccine? How many received a pneumonia vaccine?

If you've read the CDC you will have read that the virus and resultant pneumonia bacteria are connected. You'll also have read that there are many types of bacteria that induce just as many types of pneumonia. In other words, not all pneumonia inducing bacteria are alike. Conversely, neither the are the viral strains that induce pneumonia.

I'm betting they got it right this time.

Admission to hospital increased the chance of contracting pneumonia bacteria too, happens to too many that are admitted without flu.

Just can't get a break now a days, but nutrition that's of real importance...

This particular hospital had isolation rooms with separate exhaust vents. I was whisked away and registered from inside one. Everybody who came close to me wore a surgical mask. As for me, this was the first time in 30 yrs since needing emergency care.

Since the Sars epidemic hit Toronto many hospitals here have focused on isolation areas. Judging by my own demise I'd say it was money well spent. Unfortunately the first doctor misdiagnosed me and consequently exposed a lot of the nursing staff before I had a chance to put on a mask....so yes, in that vein you're absolutely correct.

The hospitals here have triage centers at the entrances to effect what you described.

I've been using soluble nutrition supplements a while now and I don't get sick anymore PTL! And others whom have used this product for many years have some neat testimonies of recoveries uncommon to the medical establishment.

I know people who are also on supplements and they claim likewise. One I know had serious sinus problems that nothing other than supplements seemed to control.

As for myself, I've been rather scrupulous with my diet and activities. We have a small, well composted 2 acre market garden/greenhouse I started as a hobby. The garlic seems to be the predominant choice amongst family and friends.

What I object to is the charlatanism I find is nothing less than somebodys' attempt at a well conceived deception in order to fill their own pockets. http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/10/13/Dr-Oz-Helps-Shill-the-Flu-Vaccine.aspx go to the end and click on the link......you'll see what I mean.

Guest-

I read your referenced articles. I think you are splitting semantical hairs. The referenced articles say that most of the people listed as flu deaths actually died of pneumonia brought on by the flu. I don't why the distinction is so important to you. Whether the flu kills you outright or disposes you do die of a secondary cause the result is the same and the root cause is the same.

The squeaking wheel gets the grease...

I appreciated the post as I reasoned advising my parents to get a pneumonia shot and use nutrition and lots of fluids to combat the flu.

I'm all for informed choice but, speaking for myself, as a layman only. My own immediate experience was to question one doctors diagnosis and I'm glad I did. To do so was simple enough. Everything else wasn't. To find a competant doctor while extremely ill meant I had to sign out of the hospital, find a competant one and then get signed back in again. For that I owe a gratitude of thanks to the nursing staff (and the redhead force of nature I married).

I agree with you that herbology is indeed the mainstay of much of todays medicinal research. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Evans_Schultes I also believe there are many who are engaged in good works by virtue of their nature and not the dictates of insurance companies and lawyers.

Knee-jerk anti-government rants have no place in this discussion, and I am very glad to see that the rest of the posts take this issue seriously. I have asthma, my wife has lung damage from scoliosis, and we have two college age sons (vectors) living at home. We are taking this very seriously, and plan to get the vaccine as soon as it is available here, hopefully in the next week or so.

The local (non-profit) hospital where my wife works has stockpiled massive quantities of masks, gloves, respirators, and anti-viral drugs. They are taking it very seriously. Apparently some of the for-profit hospitals in the area have had less foresight, and are already running out of supplies.

I do hope the 'guest' in the first post doesn't have any children.

And duckinthepond, I hope you have had a full recovery.

Looking forward to the next installment.

Not anti-government just anti-hype.

Everyone do be vigilant and indulge in nutrition, keep your body functions capable in the face adversity. The average nutritional intake of north Americans is less than adequate to maintain true healthful balance. Following the package directions as to serving size guarantees only a minimum of the nutrition necessary.

Pay strict attention to your health because without it you are done...

Quite all right, Duckinthepond. (In fact, I gave you a "good answer" for your comment.) Hope that you're feeling better now. Please feel free to share more as you see fit.

Thanks Moose

The only other thing I can say is what I learned from the doctor(s). The first had a disdain for anything human and diagnosed me with COPD (I don't have COPD). The lack of medication for a single day led to severe complications.

The second doctor prescribed prednisone and an anti-biotic for the resulting pneumonia. Two types of bronchodilators were also prescribed...one for immediate rescue, the other a long lasting variety. Two weeks into it I'm just beginning to recover.

From what I understand the H1N1 virus is a trigger for a specific type of pneumonococcal bacteria. I've been told that the relationship between the two is rather complex. I've also understood that the 2007- 2008 H1N1 (which I had a mild dose of) is a receptor/trigger for this one resulting in the bodys immune system to 'overload' with the new infection. This lulled me into a false sense of security thinking I was immune to H1N1.

PS....the use of prednisone retards the bodys natural immune system allowing the anti-biotics to take effect.

Thanks for your input Duck. I also gave you a "good answer" rating. I DO have COPD and I especially appreciate your mentioning the symptoms to be particularly aware of. I hope more people get the word and remain vigilant.

Be extremely vigilant Fobus. With COPD you are at a high risk. Getting it and survivng it is a blessing in disguise....though, in retrospect, I would have preferred the vaccination.

I've never missed a day of work due to illness (except to go fishing) and now, due to a misdiagnosis, I'm laid up for what looks to be a months' duration.

Why wait until next week? Seems a leisurely pace

for such vital information.

Thanks for your question, Guest. Blogger is just one of the many "hats" that I wear, so the delay is a matter of being able to find the time to write Part 2.

Hopefully, you'll come back to the site and register. One of the best reasons for doing so is that you can subscribe to a discussion (like this one). That way, you can be notified automatically when Part 2 does go live.

Best,

Moose

Richard E. Neustadt and Ernest R.May in their book Thinking In Time,The Free Press, 1988, Chapter 3 Unreasoning from Analogies, discuss the 1976 Swine Flu "Scare" at length and how many factors, including some political, helped drive President Ford's actions. Specifically, David Spencer, Director of Center for Disease Control, wrote an "action memorandum" for the Administration in March 1976, near the end of the flu season, that listed several presumptions and hypothesis (I'm quoting here):

• Major Shifts in viruses occur on eleven-year cycles (1957, 1968)
• The January Fort Dix episode may be just three years early
• Past shifts were followed by pandemics
• The absence of new outbreaks proves nothing
• "Widespread" swine fly is a "strong possibility" in 1976-77
• This flu might hit young adults as hard as old (as in 1918)
• With effort, there is "barely enough" time to produce vaccine for "all"
• and get it into them before next winter
• By methods short of direct Federal administration
• with no legislation needed except money
• and in lieu of stockpiling...
• The political presumption was "The Administration can tolerate unnecessary health expenditures better than unnecessary death and illness, particularly if a flu pandemic should occur."

Having been one who "survived" the 1976 "pandemic" in spite of not being vaccinated, I may be susceptible to dismissing this event in 2009 as a media drive scare. Is the 1976 scenario playing out again in 2009? No, I think not. Several of the presumptions and hypotheses that failed to play out in 1976 have already been seen, particularly the virulent nature of this year's disease, the ease at which it can spread, and how susceptible children and young adults are to its effects. The media may be over-hyping it a bit, but I do not think that efforts to vaccinate the public are politically driven nor are they as driven by unfounded fear as was the case in 1976.

My son is currently at home with an unconfirmed case of H1N1. It is amazing to see how easily this virus can knock a runner in great shape on his behind.

By the way, while Thinking In Time may present some unique arguments on topics ranging from the Cuban Missile Crisis to Martin Luther King, Jr, and all things in between, it is a bit boring and does not come highly recommended by me.

In Canada the officials are not bothering to confirm it anymore. The symptoms I mentioned speak volumes.

Hope your kid gets well soon.

Thanks, Duck. He's resting comfortably and seems to be handling the illness well. He doesn't like being called "bacon" though.

In Virginia the doctors will not actually test you for H1N1. Instead they test you for influenza type A. If you are positive for A then they will say that you most likely have H1N1 as Type A is not going around right now. Only the State Health Dept can test for H1N1 and they aren't testing anyone that is not admitted to a hospital. So, although my son has all the symptoms of H1N1, the best the doctors can say is that he probably has it and if he's not better in five days to take him to the hospital. You have to love that.....

Five days sounds about right. I got clobbered on the 6th.

No vaccines are absolute, but since I'm immunosuppressed my doctor keeps me up to date on all the major ones, including flu and the most common variety of pneumonia.That one is good for 5 years. I spend a good deal of time in schools and seldom get anything in that environment. I do carry hand sanitizer and use it quite a lot. I do worry about the opportunistic infections in hospitals though.

Hospitals keep stats on infection rates so I recommend you check those before you decide what hospital to go to when you're ill.