Have you gotten your immunizations yet? Don't overlook this important prep.

Flu shots are in for the upcoming flu season. Even if you have never had one before, you should consider getting one this year. Picture this: Hundreds (or thousands) of people crammed into shelters with limited water and sanitation facilities. These people are stressed and probably have had poor nutrition. Now picture this occuring during the height of the flu season. I know--we're preparing so we aren't going to be in these shelters, but what if someone who has been exposed to the flu stops by your house to beg food, rob you, or sell you rags? Now you have been exposed, too! Have you read (or seen) "The Stand"? That was the flu that killed off 99 percent of the people! (I know, it was a genetically engineered "superflu"--but you get my point)

While you're at it, consider getting a Pneumovax ("pneumonia shot"). It won't protect you from all forms of pneumonia, just Streptococcal Pnemoniae. But this is the most common form of "community acquired" pneumonia.

When was your last tetanus shot? If it's been greater that 5 years, consider getting another. Make sure all of you and your family's routine immunizations are up to date.

Just my thoughts on this beautiful Sunday morning!

-- cath (fin@llyGI.com), October 03, 1999

Answers

The more you allow doctors to inject obnoxious stuff into your body, the more you convince your body and your mind that it is incapable of taking care of itself.

Eat right, make sure you get some kind of exercise, spend a lot of time outdoors. Laugh a lot. Love a lot. Give of yourself to your friends and your community in whatever way you can. Believe in yourself, believe in your body's natural capabilities to fight off harmful viruses.

You may find that you don't need to turn to doctors.

-- No Thanks (in@theKnow.xcom), October 03, 1999.

No Thanks,

That worked well for American natives when small pox was introduced, didn't it???????!!!!!!! I agree that positive and healthy lifestyle can make a tremendous difference but don't ignore the benefits of vaccinations (at least for your children).

-- Kristi (securxsys@cs.com), October 03, 1999.

Also, remember to stock up on some vitamin c (1000 milligram), echinacea, and also, we keep oscillococcinum (by a company called Boiron) on hand. It's a homeopathic equivalent to the flu shot. We prefer the more natural, letting out bodies heal themselves approach, but sometimes you need a little boost, like extra vitamin c. And I think that this winter there is going to be so much stress and anxiety that many people will get sick who usually don't. Each of us, in our own way, needs to do whatever we can to stay as healthy as possible!

-- Margo (margos@bigisland.com), October 04, 1999.

I will attest: Boiron's (unpronounceable) oscillococcinum is THE BEST FLU REMEDY GOING. Sold at homeopathic-supply stores.

-- PH (ag3@interlog.com), October 04, 1999.

To No Thanks:

There is an absolutely wretched anti-scientific campaign going on right now against vaccinations, which apparently you have fallen for completely. You can be the most gloriously healthy person in the world, and if your immune system encounters something totally new to it, you can die very fast. Do you know anything about the world-wide influenza epidemic of 1918?

-- Peter Errington (petere@ricochet.net), October 04, 1999.

My father contracted polio when he was a child in the early 1920's. Very nearly died, and did end up with one leg almost 2 inches shorter than the other. The Salk vaccine has effectively eliminated this scourge. Based on literally decades of success in preventing disease, counseling against vaccinations is absurd.

And you betcha, my whole family is making appointments for our shots.

-- Mac (sneak@lurk.hid), October 05, 1999.