Flu shots

Influenza and pneumonia are common preventable infectious diseases that increase mortality and morbidity in persons with chronic diseases including DM.5 Yearly influenza vaccinations, commonly called flu shots, are recommended for patients with DM. Pneumococcal vaccination also is recommended for patients with DM as a one-time vaccination for most patients. 

Wahlberg, David. 2004. U.S. Scrambles to Find Flu Shots Ration Supply. Atlanta Journal-Constitution, October 7, A-1. 

As with any successful implementation of a pharmacy service, education and training of pharmacy staff prior to the implementation of the service are essential for success. Pharmacists should achieve proficiency in providing the service before the start date of the service. The time needed to train pharmacy staff depends on the complexity of the service and the experience of the staff. Not only do the pharmacists need to be knowledgeable about the service, but they also may need to practice some of the skills required for some services (e.g., giving a flu shot or completing a lipid panel). Therefore, there should be sufficient practice and a demonstration of competence before they work with actual patients. To help illustrate how the education and training can occur, the preparation of pharmacists at Care-Rite Pharmacy for their Pharmacy Check-up Service will be discussed. 

There is a set of two (or possibly three) strains of virus associated with the disease influenza. It is only these particular virus strains that the "so-called" flu shot is intended to be effective against. Note that the science journal that described this inoculation [27] was very meticulous in its choice of terminology. It deliberately never used the word flu . To the lay public, the word flu refers to any bad rhino virus, of which there are over 300 known such viruses today, as well as thousands of the larger class of all viruses. Moreover, these numbers are rapidly growing with new discoveries. To the scientists who designed, synthesized and analyzed these chemicals, the inoculation that they developed is intended to ward off only two viruses, not hundreds or thousands. The misinterpretation of these results by writers in the popular press, and even some, who should have known better, in science... 

A 57-year-old obese male with a history of mild asthma and hypertension arrived at the clinic for a flu shot and annual physical examination. 

The nasal delivery of vaccines is a very attractive route of administration in terms of efficacy and consumer friendliness. A population-wide immunization against influenza has yet to be achieved. The pain of injections discourages many people from receiving a flu shot. The nasal route offers the advantage of a mucosal response followed by a seric response, and has proved to be a very efficient mode of administration. ... 

Thus, according to a November 1998 newsletter from Johns Hopkins University Medical School, in addition to the neurotoxin thimerosal, flu vaccines are found to contain the preservative formaldehyde, a known cancer-causing agent, and also aluminum (or its compounds), and can be associated with an increase in Alzheimer s disease. In the serious influenza epidemic occurring circa January 2000, a large percentage of the elderly who had had the flu shots also contracted the disease. For instance, a nursing home in Toronto reported 32 cases of the flu, out of which 31 had been vaccinated the month before. 

An added note is that flu shots translate to a very big business — so, just follow the money. 

Influenza (flu) and inhalation anthrax can have similar symptoms. Does CDC recommend that I get a flu shot to help diagnose anthrax ... 

You should get a flu shot only to prevent the llu. CDC does not recommend you get the flu shot so doctors can tell whether you have the flu or anthrax. Many illnesses (including anthrax) begin with flu-like symptoms, which include fever, body aches, tiredness, and headaches. In fact, most illnesses with flu-like symptoms are not either the flu or anthrax. 

The flu vaccine is the best protection you can get to prevent the flu and its severe complications, especially among those who arc at the highest risk (e.g.. people older than 65 years old or younger people with chronic disease such as diabetes or heart disea.se). The flu shot can prevent 70%-90% of flu infections, but it will not prevent illnesses with flu-like symptoms caused by anything other than influenza. 

Every year we face an outbreak of influenza (the flu). Most of the time it is a virus that is already present in the population and therefore can be controlled by flu shots. But every once in awhile, a new influenza virus appears, which can cause a worldwide pandemic because it is not affected by any immunity a person may have to older strains of influenza and can therefore spread rapidly and infect a large number of people. And almost no effective antiviral drugs are available for the flu. (See Tamiflu on page 1124.)... 

The use of adhesives in medicine and dentistry is often critical and functional and with little visibility to patients. Infant immunization, flu shots, restorative dental fillings, blood transfusions, heart bypass surgery, urological surgery, anesthetic administration, intravenous drug delivery, and numerous other medical procedures would not be possible today if not for advanced adhesives. Modern adhesives are used to assemble thousands of medical devices around the world, or they are used in direct physiological interactive modes [8]. 

Bring in outside help. Medical professionals for blood pressure checks, flu shots, etc. Police for drunk glasses and self-defense demonstrations. Fire departments for home safety tips. 

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