We are including the recommendations for the Flu Vaccine and Immune Supporters.
CDC Recommendation
" Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine as soon as vaccine is available this fall. While flu is unpredictable, it’s likely that 2009 H1N1 viruses and regular seasonal viruses will cause illness in the U.S. this flu season. The 2010-2011 flu vaccine will protect against three different flu viruses: an H3N2 virus, an influenza B virus and the H1N1 virus that caused so much illness last season."
If you are choosing to have the flu vaccine we recommend that you see your primary family doctor to review your history. Pregnant women should not get the nose spray and if you are allergic to egg's, it is not advised to get the vaccine. If you have chosen to not have the flu vaccine and as an extra percussion for everyone, here are some actions you can take.
FIRST DEFENSE FOR COLDS AND FLU
Keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps we can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. It is best to wash your hands with soap and clean running water for 20 seconds. However, if soap and clean water are not available, use an alcohol-based product to clean your hands. Alcohol-based hand rubs significantly reduce the number of germs on skin and are fast acting.
When washing hands with soap and water:
Wet your hands with clean running water and apply soap. Use warm water if it is available.
Rub hands together to make a lather and scrub all surfaces.
Continue rubbing hands for 20 seconds. Need a timer? Imagine singing "Happy Birthday" twice through to a friend!
Rinse hands well under running water
Dry your hands using a paper towel or air dryer. If possible, use your paper towel to turn off the faucet
Remember: If soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based gel to clean hands.
When using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer:
Apply product to the palm of one hand
Rub hands together
Rub the product over all surfaces of hands and fingers until hands are dry.
When should you wash your hands?
Before preparing or eating food
After going to the bathroom
After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has gone to the bathroom
Before and after tending to someone who is sick
After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
After handling an animal or animal waste
After handling garbage
Before and after treating a cut or wound
Holistic Immune Support
Vitamin D liquid drops – For further information, check out the Vitamin D Council’s website. RDA Vitamin D in pregnancy- 400 IU/day~ max 4000 IU/day
Vitamin A is also necessary for proper function of a wide variety of systems and anti-viral activity Zinc and selenium are specifically helpful. *RDA Vitamin A in pregnancy- 2700 IU/day~max 8000 IU/day.
Vitamin C is highly recommended. The best form is the packets of mineral ascorbates “Emergen-C”. An adult can take several per day. *If you are sick you can drink 3 Emergen-C packages /day.
Elderberry Zinc lozenges from NOW and Echinacea
Homeopathic, Oscillococcinum. It does sometimes work to minimize the severity of the flu. You can take a half-tube as a dose, and follow the directions regarding repetition.
Seek care form your MD or ND if you are experiencing flu like symptoms. You may be advised to increase your intake of Vitamins.
If a family member should come down with the flu the rest of the family could take it these as a preventive. And finally, if you think you might be coming down with the flu, it would be best to stay away from others to reduce the chance of exposure.
There are not always easy answers for many questions that come up in pregnancy and vaccines are one of them. We encourage all our families to seek out their own answers and to fully educate themselves. Here are some links you may enjoy reading.
http://www.cdc.gov/
http://www.drtenpenny.com/
http://www.who.int/
http://www.mindful-mama.com/blogs/thrive/archive/2009/10/01/doctor-s-orders-h1n1.aspx ( this is an article and on going conversation about flu vaccination)
http://www.mercola.com/
http://www.nvic.org/
