Flu Vaccinations: Yield Big Benefits
Annual deaths in the U.S. from influenza ranged between 3,000 and 49,000 each year from 1976 to 2007. A significant portion of the sickness and death associated with this common illness could be prevented by immunizations. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that during the 2012-1013 flu season, immunizations prevented 79,000 (17%) hospitalizations and 6.6 million…
Read MoreHow Your Body Fights the Flu
Why is it that some people get the flu and others don't? During this time of the year, we all inhale upwards of 10,000 or more viruses each day. God has given each of us a marvelous immune system to fight infections such as the flu. Here is a fascinating view of what this battle…
Read MoreFlu Got You Down?
Influenza is hitting the United States harder this year than in some past years. If you or a family member have it, here are five simple things you should do: Stay home to encourage healing and protect others from exposure. Rest as much as possible. Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Eat sparingly and lightly:…
Read MoreInfluenza Epidemic: 1918-1919
The influenza epidemic of 1918-1919 killed more than 50 million people worldwide. In the United States, approximately 650,000 died. This "Spanish flu" was caused by an influenza A (H1N1) virus that targeted the younger population. The University of Michigan has an absolutely fascinating website, called "The American Influenza Epidemic of 1918-1919: A Digital Encyclopedia," that…
Read MoreProtect Yourself from the Flu
Flu season is here! Although there are no guarantees that you will never get the flu, here are some PositiveTips that will help:
Read MoreFlu Immunizations Help Keep Kids Out of the Hospital
Want to keep your child out of the hospital even if they get the flu? A single pediatric dose of the H1N1 vaccine administered at least 14 days before diagnosis was 85% effective at keeping the kids out of hospital according to Canadian research. A single dose is suboptimal, but in an emergency can be…
Read MoreInfluenza: Real Threat, Real Prevention
Short Message: get your flu shot today – especially if you are over 50 years old, younger than 2 years old, or have a chronic illness – like lung disease, heart disease, cancer, kidney disease, diabetes – to name a few. If you are not in any of these categories, have you been reluctant to…
Read MoreMaternal Flu Vaccination Pays Dividends in Infants
Infants younger than 6 months are not eligible for influenza vacations, yet are at high risk for flu complications. A study following mothers with healthy infants older than <2 weeks for three flu seasons found that infants whose mothers had been immunized for the flu had 41% lower rates than infants of unvaccinated mothers. PositiveTip: Flu…
Read MoreObesity Decreases Flu Fighting “Memory”
Obesity is seen as an independent risk factor for the H1N1 flu virus.New research in obese mice strongly suggests they are far more susceptible to secondary infections (i.e. pneumonia). It seems that the excess weight interferes with the immune system's ability to "remember" how to fight off previous similar infections. This kind of "memory" is…
Read MoreChildrens’ Flu Vaccines Benefit the Whole Community
Research among more than 40 Hutterite colonies in Canada found that when children from 3 to 15 years old are immunized against the flu, there was a 61% lower flu rate among the unvaccinated community members. By immunizing the children the entire community was significantly benefited. This study suggests that children and adolescents play an…
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