Need help, here!! Flu shots are being given this week in my area- Have a

[Bobbieo]

slight cold and sinus infection which I am fighting with anti-biotics.
Should I get the shot now, and risk getting the flu????

[tabatha]

1. Be careful with antibiotics.

Best way to keep colds away (I have not had any in 10 years), is to keep your ph alkaline.

[trotsky]

7. You simply cannot, repeat CANNOT, change your body pH.

If you could, you would die. Virtually every chemical reaction in the body is dependent on having a pH within a very small range, and there are lots of systems in place to make sure it stays there. Nothing in your diet can change it.

[bukowskiforever]

11. Sure you can! You can take an acidic body and make it more alkaline

depending on the foods you eat. Why do they have PH strips then?

I don't know HOW MUCH you can change, but to say you can change nothing seems a little bit over-the-top.

[Warpy]

15. Ph strips are to check acidity of gastric secretions and urine

and that varies. However, you CAN NOT CHANGE BODY pH BALANCE BY ANYTHING YOU EAT OR DRINK unless you are diabetic and throwing yourself into ketoacidosis for giggles!

Our pH balance is controlled by our kidneys, not our diet.

[Celebration]

22. your blood pH is fixed, certainly

within a very normal range. It steals ions from wherever to maintain itself in a normal range. Tissue pH is not the same as blood pH, however.

[trotsky]

24. But tissue pH is a symptom, not a cause.

You can't affect it with dietary changes, that's the point.

[Celebration]

27. Have there been any studies on this?

It was my understanding that the reason that the blood pH is so stable is that it steals ions from everywhere all over the body to keep it in a very narrow range. I see no reason why this entire system would not be able to be affected by diet, although I don't know of any specific studies that show this one way or another.

[trotsky]

28. The mechanism is understood like other bodily functions - digestion, perspiration, etc.

The body adjusts pH primarily through controlling the exhalation of carbon dioxide (CO2 dissolved in the blood increases its acidity) and selective filtration by the kidneys. Body pH problems thus usually indicate a problem with one of those systems, not a condition that CAUSES those systems (or others) to have problems.

Just another health-related hoax designed to sell books.

[Celebration]

29. that was not what I asked

Have there been any studies one way or another that show that diet can affect tissue pH?

[trotsky]

30. Sure, the studies are walking all around you.

Some people drink nothing but Coke or other carbonated beverages all day (ph ~3.5-4.0). The fact that their blood doesn't turn acidic, doesn't drop even into the lower 7s, shows the system works.

[Celebration]

31. ummm, not talking about BLOOD pH

which self regulates

I am wondering about tissue pH--

And the above is just anecdotal evidence, although I concede that blood pH is unaffected by diet.

[trotsky]

33. So riddle me this

1) It's established that the body primarily adjusts pH via the lungs and kidneys.
2) It's established that therefore blood pH remains stable.

How then, can specific tissue become acidic or alkaline, if the blood that gives it everything it needs maintains a constant pH? In other words, by what other mechanism could a person's diet affect internal tissue, if not via blood flow?

[Celebration]

34. so riddle me this

While I agree with 1 and 2, that does not explain why tissue pH can differ among different people. If tissue pH is determined *only* via the blood flow, then tissue pH would be exactly the same for everyone, just like blood pH. And that simply is not the case. Obviously tissue pH is affected by things other than blood pH.

Again, I am not aware of any studies which show that tissue pH can be affected by food. Do you know of any?

[trotsky]

35. You're the one asking. You do the research.

Tissue pH *could* change as the result of a disease, but it's not going to change and then *cause* disease. And you didn't answer my question - by what mechanism are you proposing that diet could change tissue pH?

[Celebration]

37. by the same mechanism

that illness can cause a change in tissue pH. Your whole premise was that because blood pH doesn't change, that tissue pH wouldn't change due to diet. But there is not at all a one to one relationship between these things. They are independent of each other, to a large extent. So your premise was wrong.

Disease for sure can cause tissue pH to change, but is the reverse also true? You are just assuming that, aren't you? Are there any studies at all that indicate that tissue pH either does or doesn't have some sort of deleterious health effect? I would be really interested in any kind of studies that might have been done that back up your claim that tissue pH has no effect on health.

[trotsky]

41. I'm sorry you are having difficulty understanding.

I asked you to propose a mechanism by which what you want to be true, could be. You have refused and instead seem to want me to prove the negative. I consider this discussion over, unless you actually have some valid information to share. Established medicine has destroyed the "body pH" myth.

[Celebration]

45. what studies destroy the pH myth?

You are the one that wants studies. I want studies that show that established medicine has destroyed the "myth."

[trotsky]

46. Still having difficulty, I see.

Body regulation of pH is a well-understood, well-documented phenomenon. I don't need to provide you with "studies" that prove it, YOU need to provide some kind of evidence to overturn this pillar of human physiology.

Please, do yourself a favor and READ about this subject to understand.

From The American Institute for Cancer Research (yeah, I know, probably a bunch of paid shills who know nothing compared to your mad Google skillz)

The claim: Acidic foods can alter the body’s pH balance and promote cancer.

The facts: Several concerned readers have written to AICR in recent weeks confused about online claims that acidic foods may increase cancer risk. It’s time to set the record straight.

The unsubstantiated theory is based on lab studies that suggest cancer cells thrive in an acidic (low pH) environment, but cannot survive in alkaline (high pH) surroundings. While these findings are accurate, they apply only to cells in an isolated lab setting. Altering the cell environment of the human body to create a less-acidic, less-cancer-friendly environment is virtually impossible.

While proponents of this myth argue that avoiding certain foods and eating others can change the body’s pH level, these claims stand in stark contrast to everything we know about the chemistry of the human body. Acid-base balance is tightly regulated by several mechanisms, among them kidney and respiratory functions. Even slight changes to your body’s pH are life-threatening events. Patients with kidney disease and pulmonary dysfunction, for example, often rely on dialysis machines and mechanical ventilators (respectively) to avoid even small disruption of acid-base balance.

More...

[Celebration]

49. lol

Saying something is unsubstantiated is QUITE DIFFERENT from "destroying the myth." I agree that the theory is currently unsubstantiated. However, to "destroy the myth" one needs to have more than an editorial saying that the theory is unsubstantiated.

[trotsky]

54. You've failed to provide any factual support for your position whatsoever.

Despite your desperate attempts to somehow make that *my* problem, the fact remains that the acid/alkaline theory of disease is a busted myth. I quoted but one source that was trying to be tactful about it. Clearly you've already made up your mind that despite NO supporting evidence, eating different foods will somehow adjust your body pH enough to prevent disease. Can't help you with that willful ignorance.

[Celebration]

58. it is not about being "tactful"

It is about using language precisely and in an easily understandable manner.

[Celebration]

38. Aha!! At least I found a clinical trial on this subject

http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00586131?cond=%22Acidosis%22&rank=20

The normal range of pH of the blood (measure of acid-base balance of body) is rather large. It is defined as a range of pH between 7.38 and 7.44. There is evidence to suggest that a high normal arterial pH (7.43-7.45) preserves nutritional status of individuals better than a low normal arterial pH (7.36-7.38). We will test this hypothesis in a small group of stable patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing automated peritoneal dialysis. It needs to be noted that all pH levels to be attained in this study are considered to be normal. The primary outcome measure for the study will be the N-balance. The changes in blood pH will be obtained by medications (ammonium chloride for lower pH and sodium bicarbonate for higher pH).

[trotsky]

42. Yes, and the trial backs up what I've been saying.

We will test this hypothesis in a small group of stable patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing automated peritoneal dialysis.

Disease causes pH imbalance, not the other way around. Good luck with those windmills!

[Celebration]

43. ummm

They are trying this in compromised patients, but the trial is to see if medication that keeps the pH of the blood in the alkaline range has a clinical benefit in the patients.

[trotsky]

47. And why are they having to adjust the pH with medication?

Because these subjects all have end-stage kidney failure! I just told you that the kidneys are one of the primary regulation systems of pH in the body! Please tell me you understand this, because your statement here would indicate otherwise.

[Celebration]

48. sure, it makes them easier subjects n/t

[trotsky]

55. Yes, because their bodies can't adjust pH normally anymore!

Due to malfunctioning kidneys! So you've acknowledged this study does NOTHING to support your altie beliefs. Thank you!

[Celebration]

56. uh, people don't overnight wake up needing dialysis

There is generally a slow and steady decline of kidney function as one ages. If this study shows that a higher pH is helpful in dialysis patients, the next step would be to see if it could be of benefit to the elderly, and perhaps even reverse the slow decline in the function of the kidneys.

I would assume that any person benefitting from any pH type changes in diet would most likely be someone whose kidney function is not 100%. That would include a whole lot of the aging population, and some that are younger.

[Heddi]

60. actually, people DO wake up overnight needing dialysis

I see this all the time in the hospital. People can have normal kidney function and then BAM they go into acute renal failure in the course of hours or perhaps days and need emergent dialysis and within a few days of going into ARF they go into CRF (chronic renal failure) and are dialysis dependent for life. Young, old, previously healthy or decades of ill health. It happens much more frequently than you apparently are aware of, and ask any RN or MD, especially one (like me) that works in critical care, emergency care, and acute care, and they will say the same thing.

Not everyone who gets dialysis is an elderly person who has age-related decline in renal function. In fact, MOST elderly people don't get dialysis because of their decline in kidney function---you can survive just fine on ONE kidney functioning at 20% without really seeing any drastic change in lab values.

Changing someone's pH who is in early stages of kidney failure wouldn't do anything to DECREASE THE RATE of kidney failure--what it would do is decrease the risk of pH-related changes that are inherent in people who HAVE kidney failure. It would not, as you suggest "reverse the slow decline in the function of kidneys".

Saying that is akin to stating "Putting bandages on people will prevent them from possibly getting cuts in the future". The pH balance will not reverse or slow kidney failure. It will prevent the pH imbalance that is inherent in renal failure.

Renal failure is not BECAUSE of pH imbalance---it CAUSES pH imbalance.

This isn't just talking out of my arse, either. As has been stated numerous times above, the mechanism of pH regulation in the body is very well known, very well understood, and a very basic part of human physiological function. As a nurse, I know what I should do, or what I should suggest to the MD when I see a patient with a pH of 7.8 or 7.1. It is either caused by the respiratory system, or the renal system, or a combination of both.

pH numbers that are "off" are not the cause of respiratory or renal problems---rather, respiratory and renal problems are the cause of pH imbalances.

Many community colleges across the country offer introductory courses in human anatomy and physiology. I suggest that anyone who has such a basic misunderstanding of the physiological and anatomical workings of the human body should spend a few hundred bucks and take a class and educate themselves properly on the true workings of the human body.

[uppityperson]

64. Thank you. I agree with what you write, from yrs of education and experience as a nurse also.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

50. Your study is about blood pH, weren't you arguing about tissue pH.

[Celebration]

57. here is what interested me about this study

This study said that the reference ranges for pH in the blood are "rather large". Huh? I had thought that the reference ranges were small. I guess it is definitional. What is large and what is small? In any case, their goal was to see if the pH within the reference ranges make a difference. I do know that tissue pH can differ from blood pH. And, in any case, the blood levels are just one instant in time, as opposed to the tissue levels, which are less subject to change. Also, to make matters even more complex, there are differences in arterial pH and venous pH. The various issues like this are there, but I do admit that I am not any kind of expert in this area.

And yes, I know that kidney dialysis patients have a more difficult time regulating pH, for sure..........

As to whether food can affect blood or tissue pH, well, I don't think there is much evidence one way or another. But do note that the medication they use to raise pH is sodium bicarbonate. Well, that is baking soda and that is a food. Sure it would be easier for a food or a drug like baking soda to alter the pH in a kidney patient. But could it also alter blood pH or tissue pH in an elderly person whose kidney function is not optimal? And if so, would that have an impact upon health? I don't believe that those questions are answered.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

59. Why are tissue pH levels less subject to change?

Tissue pH is regulated by the blood. One of the greatest respiratory drives in the human body in the pH levels of CSF. Sodium Bicarb is used in emergency medicine to treat acidosis usually caused from acidosis resulting from hypoxia that causes anaerobic metabolism which lowers the pH.

David

[Heddi]

61. There are MINOR differences between arterial and venous pH levels

mainly because venous pH is using deoxygenated blood while arterial pH is using oxygenated blood. When one takes an ABG (arterial blood gas), they're not just looking at the pH, they're looking at the bicarb level, the O2 level, the CO2 level, the anion gap...all of these can point a trained professional to the source of the pH imbalance--is it compensated (is the body trying to correct it) or is it decompensated (the body is not able to correct it). Is it because of respiratory distress or decreasing renal function, or both?

If a nurse can't get an arterial sample for ABG's, venous blood gasses are just as valuable. The O2 and CO2 may be a bit skewed because of the difference in oxygenated vs. unoxygenated blood, but the pH and HCO3 values are generally reliable in a diagnostic sense.

[uppityperson]

65. Baking soda is not a food. But, if someone ate a bunch of it, AND

their body had trouble already regulating pH, of course it could have an impact. Doesn't matter if they were elderly or not though.

[uppityperson]

36. What do you mean by "tissue pH"? Serious question.

I am trying to figure out what you are saying. Thank you.

[Celebration]

39. here

http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/klu/jocm/1996/00000012/00000005/00113208

Tissue pH measurement has a number of clinical applications, including the monitoring of both muscle pH and organ pH as an indicator of compromised blood flow and anaerobic metabolism.

[uppityperson]

40. Thanks. I love biochemistry.

So: Blood pH has a range which is affected by what is going on in the tissues, as the attempt is made to have all be within healthy range. Measuring tissue pH will tell what is going on within the tissue, like a muscle, how good the blood flow is and how well the muscle (for instance) is dealing with getting the energy it needs to contract (aerobic vs anaerobic).

It is interesting that this study was done. I'd like to see some recent studies on that old "lactic acid buildup is what makes you stiff after working out (anaerobic)" thing as I read a few yrs ago that that was disputed but has been in common folklore so long that it is still held to be true by many.

Am a nurse over 30 yrs, currently doing massage therapy.

[Celebration]

44. I'd like to see more studies on this issue as well n/t

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

52. Wiki has this it appears accurate at first glance anyway.

Contrary to popular belief, this increased concentration of lactate does not directly cause acidosis, nor is it responsible for delayed onset muscle soreness.<1> This is because lactate itself is not capable of releasing a proton, and secondly, the acidic form of lactate, lactic acid, cannot be formed under normal circumstances in human tissues. Analysis of the glycolytic pathway in humans indicates that there are not enough hydrogen ions present in the glycolytic intermediates to produce lactic or any other acid.

The acidosis that is associated with increases in lactate concentration during heavy exercise arises from a separate reaction. When ATP is hydrolysed, a hydrogen ion is released. ATP-derived hydrogen ions are primarily responsible for the decrease in pH. During intense exercise, aerobic metabolism cannot produce ATP quickly enough to supply the demands of the muscle. As a result, anaerobic metabolism becomes the dominant energy producing pathway as it can form ATP at high rates. Due to the large amounts of ATP being produced and hydrolysed in a short period of time, the buffering systems of the tissues are overcome, causing pH to fall and creating a state of acidosis, a natural process which facilitates the easier dissociation of Oxyhaemoglobin and allows easier transfer of oxygen from the blood<2>. This may be one factor, among many, that contributes to the acute muscular discomfort experienced shortly after intense exercise.

The effect of lactate on acidosis has been the topic of many recent conferences in the field of exercise physiology. Robergs et al. have accurately chased the proton movement that occurs during glycolysis. However, in doing so, they have suggested that is an independent variable that determines its own concentration. A recent review by Lindinger et al. has been written to rebut the stoichiometric approach used by Robergs et al (2004).<1> In using this stoichiometric process, Robergs et al. have ignored the causative factors (independent variables) of the concentration of hydrogen ions (denoted ). These factors are strong ion difference , PCO2, and weak acid buffers. Lactate is a strong anion, and causes a reduction in which causes an increase in to maintain electroneutrality. PCO2 also causes an increase in . During exercise, the intramuscular lactate concentration and PCO2 increase, causing an increase in , and thus a decrease in pH.

Link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lactic_acid

The acute discomfort is often felt by people who don't reach anaerobic levels of exercise but perform at aerobic levels for very long periods of time, marathon runners for example. Interesting topic might need it's own thread.

David

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

51. So let's get this straight tissue pH is regulated by blood pH.

Fascinating! You might be interested in studying about compartment syndrome and crush injuries.

David

[trotsky]

19. Sorry, it is physiologically IMPOSSIBLE.

pH strips are for testing chemical solutions (or our waste products), not our bodies.

[beam me up scottie]

12. !

[bukowskiforever]

2. I agree with the first poster: colds are the result of viruses

Antibiotics cannot knock them out and will wipe out your good bacteria in the process. Purify yourself during a cold and you will be fine.

[uppityperson]

5. If the sinus infection is caused by bacteria, on top of the virus, antibiotics can help.

Against just a virus, no. But if someone has a bacterial sinusitis on top of the virus, then antibiotics can help. In either extent, it is best to not get a vaccine while fighting an active infection. Speaking form 20+ yrs as a nurse.

[bukowskiforever]

9. Explain to me (very simply, for my brain, please) about sinusitis

I am thinking it is a fancy word for a sinus infection. I have never had one, nor am I in the medical profession, but it would seem to me that over-production of mucus is the root cause of sinus trouble. So eschewing mucus-forming foods like dairy would seem to be a good plan, in addition to consuming fresh lemon and/or orange juice, which cuts through mucus (also, hot peppers). As someone who used to get several colds a year and thought it normal, I am now happy to say that I no longer take anything when I come down with colds (which is a lot less often, due to my greater consumption of raw fruits and veggies and more conscious combining of foods).

[uppityperson]

13. 4 yrs Latin, 32 yrs nursing. Here you go. "..itis" means an inflammation

Sinusitis is an inflammation of the sinus cavities in your head. It could be from a virus, or allergic, or from a bacteria, or from who knows what not me (aka "unknown etiology" or idiopathic).

So, simply, sinusitis is an inflammation of the sinus, is usually caused by an infection (which could be bacterial or virus, or both). Getting away from mucus forming foods is a good plan (hence the avoid milk products when you have it) and having good foods (like lemon, orange which are good liquids and give vitamin C) or foods that will make the mucus more liquid (like hot peppers) is good.

I have a friend who got sinusitis regularly and called me once on a weekend, said she had green mucous coming out her nose and could she take some left over antibiotics from her last infection. Sigh. IF you get antibiotics, you need to take them for the full run of what they are prescribed since they can take that amount of time to wipe out all the bacteria. IF you stop short, you run the risk of leaving a few hardy bacteria to multiply, meaning next time they take hold the antibiotic may not work.

[bukowskiforever]

16. Lemon and oranges actually thin out the mucus, which is why they are so great

I have started taking them at the first sign of a cold, versus my old habit of popping vitamin C tabs. Sometimes it worsens the cold (because the toxins are being allowed to come out faster than if you eat dense foods, which slows down the detox), but I would NEVER take a decongestant, fever-reducer, or med to stop my runny nose. I used to walk around for weeks with bronchial infections due to taking Sudafed type of stuff.

[uppityperson]

3. The flu shot prevents the flu, not gives it, it is a dead virus. About having a cold, no, don't get

it while you have an active infection since your body is already working hard to get rid of that. Wait until you are over your sinus infection, done with antibiotics and get it then.

The influenza vaccine shot doesn't give you the flu, but gets your body to make antibodies against what is predicted to be this yrs virus. The nasal-spray contains live attenuated (weakened) viruses.

http://www.cdc.gov/FLU/protect/keyfacts.htm

Key Facts About Seasonal Flu Vaccine

The single best way to protect against the flu is to get vaccinated each year.

There are two types of vaccines:

* The "flu shot"— an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle, usually in the arm. The flu shot is approved for use in people older than 6 months, including healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions.

* The nasal-spray flu vaccine — a vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause the flu (sometimes called LAIV for “live attenuated influenza vaccine” or FluMist®). LAIV (FluMist®) is approved for use in healthy* people 2-49 years of age who are not pregnant.

Each vaccine contains three influenza viruses-one A (H3N2) virus, one A (H1N1) virus, and one B virus. The viruses in the vaccine change each year based on international surveillance and scientists' estimations about which types and strains of viruses will circulate in a given year.

About 2 weeks after vaccination, antibodies that provide protection against influenza virus infection develop in the body.

[Bobbieo]

6. Thanks for the info! Will put off the shot until I get rid of the infections.

[uppityperson]

14. If you went to get one and told them what's up with you, they'd say that also.

Get one in another week or so. Hope you feel better also.

[bukowskiforever]

10. There are about a zillion different types of flu viruses, though

I would never, ever in a million years get any of that crap. I don't trust it in the least. The flu and common cold are nothing to be afraid of. Just your body doing a good job throwing off toxins. Some people may brag about never catching colds but they may be so toxic that their bodies are incapable of purifying itself via colds or flus! I remember back when I used to smoke a pack of cigs a day: I used to get around 3-4 colds a year and then didn't get one during that time for 2 years! I sure as hell wasn't healthy. It's like I read about heroin addicts having great skin: they are too toxic to become purified.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

21. The Spanish Flu pandemic killed over 40 million people in a 2 year period.

You really shouldn't talk about things you aren't the slightest bit educated about.

David

[groovysadgesun]

63. Given that you admitted to another poster that you work in this field...

I think you may have a bit of an agenda, with all due respect.

(And for all your so-called knowledge, you inject people with thimerosal, which is a mercury compound and neurotoxin. Yikes! I'll stick with my ignorant self, if it's all the same with you...)

[uppityperson]

66. Don't listen to someone who works in health care when they try to educate about health care.

Yes, they definitely have an agenda. Good lord.

[groovysadgesun]

79. It depends on what you call "care," doesn't it?

I just think that Western medicine has it all backwards. Sorry. I don't mean to step on your toes, even though you are a professional in the field, but people are waking up. They are tired of seeing endless commercials for this drug or that ("ask your doctor to give you..."). Do you approve of that? Do you think that encouraging potential patients to pester their docs for 'scripts is productive? Have you ever talked to a practioner of Chinese medicine? I am sure that there are a healthy number who have also gone through medical school and have that traditional (by Western standards) background to draw from. They talk about imbalances in the body. The body is always trying to remain in balance.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

81. Given that you might be a nut job, your advice may be suspect also.

I give the Flu Vaccine to adults who sign consent forms. If you have some evidence of Thimerosal causing sudden onsets of autism or any illness in adults then many people here would be very interested in your data.

David

[beam me up scottie]

23. "Every year in the United States...about 36,000 people die from flu"

Every year in the United States, on average 5% to 20% of the population gets the flu; more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications, and; about 36,000 people die from flu. Some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk for serious flu complications.

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/index.htm

Nothing to be afraid of, eh?

[groovysadgesun]

62. I don't know about you, but I am deathly afraid of thimerosal

I am not interested in injecting mercury into my body; mercury is a neurotoxin. But to each his own!

(Oh, and just for the record, a flu shot cannot protect against ALL possible strains, so I don't even begin to see the point.)

[uppityperson]

67. I'd give you an answer but you'll just write me off since I'm a nurse.

[groovysadgesun]

70. On the contrary, but you'll just write me off because

I don't go to doctors.

[uppityperson]

72. Naw, I try to educate everyone. Even the willfully ignorant.

"Given that you admitted to another poster that you work in this field... I think you may have a bit of an agenda, with all due respect.

(And for all your so-called knowledge, you inject people with thimerosal, which is a mercury compound and neurotoxin. Yikes! I'll stick with my ignorant self, if it's all the same with you...)"

Since I am in that category (also work in health care and yes, have been known to give people shots) you will write me off also. Unless you want to be educated.

[groovysadgesun]

73. If you will stop condescending to me, I will listen

I wasn't directing that post to you, BTW. It was to someone named Fire Medic Dave or something.

[uppityperson]

74. Since I fit in the same category, and that is the reason for discounting him, am assuming it applies

to me too. Or is there another reason for discounting him?

[groovysadgesun]

76. I am not discounting you. That is the conclusion you have drawn

You have that right, of course. As I had stated, I was willing to listen but you choose to continue to harp on other stuff so I will just respectfully bow out of this with you.

[uppityperson]

77. Ah, since upthread you listened, since I didn't challenge, you listened.

Now that I have realized I am in that "omg a health care provider" group that you don't like, and have pointed it out, you now won't listen. Got it.

[groovysadgesun]

78. I'll give you another chance then

Go ahead: I'm all ears...

[uppityperson]

80. No you won't. Again. Tata.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

82. But it's okay to discount me.

[NickB79]

69. Oh hell. Do you eat fish at all?

Tuna perhaps?

Just as one example, on this website: http://www.carleton.ca/jmc/cnews/28112003/n1.shtml, a free flu vaccine given out in Canada 5 years ago had 25 micrograms of mercury in it per dose.

Per the website: http://www.circleofresponsibility.com/page/302/mercury-in-seafood.htm, quoting the American Heart Association, there are 0.12 micrograms of mercury per ounce of tuna.

Doing the math:

ONE 6-oz can of tuna has THREE TIMES as much mercury as the representative shot given in Canada.

[groovysadgesun]

71. No, actually I am a vegetarian (been one for over 20 years)

So I don't worry about mercury (except for those damn fillings that my dentist put in).

[Dorian Gray]

26. Being sick

is jut getting rid of toxins?

I choose not to get the flu shot now, but if I were elderly or advised by my doctor to do so, I would without hesitation.

[groovysadgesun]

75. Hey, as long as you know that the flu shot cannot protect against all strains

then party on, dewd!

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

83. Go ahead and don't get the flu vaccine no one is forcing it on you.

I don't care if you get the flu and miss work it's not my problem. If I have 40 fire medics out sick with the flu then it is my problem so I try and make sure they are educated.

David

[aquart]

4. What about Zicam and Mucinex?

And garlic?

[Betsy Ross]

8. To the best of my knowledge,

you should not get a flu shot while you are being treated for a sinus infection. Check with your doctor, or the medical practitioner giving the shots to be certain.

[Warpy]

17. You don't get the flu from a flu shot

The slight rise in temperature and slight body aches are a result of your body reacting to the virus fragments contained in the vaccine and it's what allows you to create an immune response to that year's flu. It's a good thing, in other words. They do tell you to hold off while you're still running a fever, though.

There is no contraindication to getting a flu shot while you're recovering from a cold. Antibiotics don't affect your ability to fight a virus one way or the other. What they do is fight bacteria while your own immune system gears up to finish the job they start.

The only thing the health food faddists are right about is eating yogurt with live cultures to decrease the effects of having beneficial bacteria in your gut killed off by the antibiotics.

[uppityperson]

18. Or, check with your health care provider who is giving flu shots. I've had both ways.

I've told both ways. As a patient and as a person giving the shots. It depends on if the person will come back or not also. Having an active infection, depends on the person's overall state of health.

Simple answer is ask your doctor, not an internet forum.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

20. We are starting to give it next week but won't finish till early November.

You should be fine if you wait a week or two until you are better.

David

[cosmik debris]

25. This thread is a Perfect Example

of why you should never ask for medical advice from the DU Health Scare Lounge.

While there is some really good advice here, there is also some bona fide crack pot nuttery.

If you believe the wrong one, you could get hurt.

[xchrom]

32. ain't that right. nt

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

53. Amen.

[uppityperson]

68. Agreed.