Preventing the Swine Flu: A Comprehensive Approach

Influenza is something on the minds of many every time winter approaches, and this year more than usual with the increased health concerns around the H1N1 influenza strain or Swine flu. Even though this strain appears to not be particularly dangerous, there is concern about its potential to mutate into a more dangerous form. The choice to get vaccinated is an individual one. Selective vaccination may be helpful for some groups of people, but not everyone.

The main question we are asked by our patients is should I have the vaccine for H1N1 or the regular flu.

This is not a simple yes or no answer. The guiding principle of Functional medicine is personalized care, not the one-size fits all belief that everyone should have the same treatment. This applies equally to vaccines. There is risk and benefit to every medical treatment or procedure.

Here are the facts as I see them:

  1. The current strain of H1N1 is a generally mild strain of the flu. Less people have died from it so far than the traditional flu. It may mutate but it hasn’t yet. Pushing widespread vaccination on low risk populations exposes them to unnecessary risks.
  2. If the H1N1 mutates the current vaccine may not be effective.
  3. The studies on the vaccine have been limited in the rush to market.
  4. The previous swine flu vaccine 1976 caused a serious neurological disease called Guillan Barre Syndrome, which causes paralysis, vaccine manufacturers were reluctant to make the vaccine.
  5. The government has agreed to protect vaccine manufacturers from any lawsuits due to side effects of the vaccine otherwise pharmaceutical companies would not make the vaccine.
  6. The Center for Disease Control recommends vaccination for high-risk groups, not necessarily everyone. The key groups that would benefit most from the vaccine are health workers with direct patient contact, pregnant women, caregivers of children younger than 6 months, children and adults under age 24 and adults who have underlying medical conditions, such as asthma, heart disease or diabetes. If that doesn’t describe you, you should think twice about having the vaccine.
  7. The multi-dose vials of the vaccine contain mercury as a preservative. This is the majority of vaccines. If you are a pregnant or nursing woman I would insist on the single dose vial which does not contain mercury. Unfortunately there are a limited number of the mercury free vaccines.

That is why I only recommend vaccination for high-risk individuals. But whether you get vaccinated or not, it is critical to support your immune system through natural means to help you prevent the flu.

Click here for a list of natural remedies that we at the UltraWellness Center including all the doctors and nutritionists, put together that can help keep you healthy through the season.

Remember, let food be your medicine!