Re: Flu Shot - keep other shots in mind

October 7, 2007

Do not forget the old bad boy, Tetanus. The current recomendation

for that is a booster every 10 years. That shot does not contain any

live " critters " . As a matter of fact it does not contain any

dead " critters " . It contains the immunogenic parts of the " critters "

so you can not catch anything from it.

In a segue to that, Whooping cough (Pertussis)has been making a

comeback. I just received a shot called " Alcell " which contains both

a booster for Pertussis and Tetanus. My PCP recommended it but

required that my rheumy sign off on it first. Looking into it,

neither the Tetanus or Pertussis components contained any live

attenuated " critter " and my rheumy signed off and I got the shot with

no bad effects.

Of course, as I did, you should get your Rheumy's approval for

anything like this.

Tom from PA

ps Pardon me for showing my " geekiness " so a glossary of terms.

Live Attenuated = Live virus modified to no longer be infectious.

(However, it can be in those with compromised immune systems)

Immunogenic = The part of the " critter " that causes your body to

react and creat antibodies against the " critter "

Critter = In this context, any virus or bacteria that may cause

disease.

>

> Yes - get flu shot.. I get it every year -- and pneumo shot.. I

still got

> the flu a few years back

> - even with the shot.. It was horrible. I had the flu for about 4

weeks

> and then ended up with problems with my liver/bile duct and liver

counts way

> off-- for another two-three weeks. It was a bad two months. I'm

use to

> being in bed a lot in the winter, but that was terrible. I don't

ever

> hesitate to get my shots - ever.

>

> To the parents of the five year old.. my prayers are with you. I

hope she

> does better now that she is at home.

>

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