Don't worry, be happy, don't get a flu shot. What's up with the Times' propaganda?
Makes sense to me. I was in a good mood the day of my shot feeling fit and healthy. I am past 60 now and value this information. My Dr have toe regular quad vaccine as opposed to the extra strength vaccine. My question is how does that affect the impact in seniors as related to this piece.
We thank and highlight the significance of the Schizophrenia Studies and Research Opportunities. It coincides with the fact that we have drawn up reference lines relating to the situation of immigrants in Europe, especially those who reached advanced ages, also due to the forced isolation they faced in situations totally different from their socio-cultural and ethnic origins. Worthy of mention is the information provided by the NY Times. We congratulate! Sincerely, Francisco de Alencar, Professor of Social Anthropology. Fortaleza Brazil 2017-09-30 21:00
I my youth, the MD gave you a lollipop after a shot. That worked wonders!!! Of all of the research that can benefit millions who surfer from cancer, cardiovascular, MS and Alzheimer patients, who is funding this study of mood and flu shots, and why? Lollipops anyone?
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In 2012-13, 56,000 Americans died from flu (CDC).
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Nick, the immune system resides in the gut, it is managed by the guy micro biome... and we are having a good time watching as we destroy the guy biome just about everywhere. This is not related to mood... this relates to our wish to live forever... and to our misuse of antibiotic.
So where is the control group of elderly people who weren't given the flu shot and who were also tracked? Without a control group, this research is meaningless.
I wish the Times would stop publicizing mediocre research studies like this.
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Take high doses of Vitamin D and make sure your levels are up. Use common sense and wash your hands - with soap and water. The latest vaccine for the elderly has cautions for those who have had reactions before or Guillain Barre syndrome. I'm not getting one.
Regular vaccine if you’re healthy
I make it a point to be in a 'good mood' every day. At 72 I take NO pharma. I also make it a point to never have flu shots or allow any man-made chemicals in my body. My doctor knows better than to even suggest vaccines. We are what we eat and drink. Clean, organic, sustainably raised food, lots of hydration (alkaline water best), exercise and a positive mind yields wellness.
Maybe healthier people tend to be in better moods and have better immune responses. That seems more likely than the mood causing the immune response.
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This sentence tells you all you need to know: "The authors acknowledge they were not able to control for all possible variables, and that their observational study does not prove cause and effect."
In other words, this "study" proved absolutely nothing.
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The good mood without the flu shot increases the body's immune response. You can stay home and get the same effect without a shot which has a very poor record of preventing the flu in older people.
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Please see my respiratory tract infection treatment that ended the Swine Flu pandemic on my website, as it is still not in the medical encyclopedias.
So if you are supposed to be in a good mood to increase your blood levels of antibodies to the flu vaccine, I would guess that many people are NOT in a good mood and haven't been since November 2016. Therefore this flu season will be a doosey.
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OK, so I need to drive back to Rite-Aid, NOT think about Donald Trump, and get another flu shot.
Here's the problem: when I try very hard to forget Trump is president of the United States, I remember it.
Would the adoption of a puppy help?
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Crayons and a coloring book, as a puppy is far too much responsibility.
Every year I "hopefully and happily" take flu shot....HOWEVER, last year, in spit of...contracted severe case of flu....resulting in antibiotic therapy....that killed stomach's natural protective normal flora.... resultant C Diff''... isolated hospitalized three times with unsuccessful Flagyl and Vancomycin regimens finally after 2 FMT (fecal mirobia transplant) and 3 months later....I am okay. BUT AT 91 YEARS OLD, RELUCTANT TO TAKE ANOTHER FLU SHOT???? ADVISE PLEASE.
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I believe there are different Flu vaccinations --by age.
Just as the very young, it would be wise to ask a knowledgable trusted doctor about your dilemma.
While it does sound positively awful, and dangerous, I fear going without protection is at least as dangerous, and likely even more so!
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It is possible the strain of flu you contracted was not covered in the vaccine you received. I see you are in Detroit. Can you contact the University of Michigan Hospital and Health Center in Ann Arbor? They are highly ranked for geriatric care. There you can seek expert advice about this and other matters.
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My advice is to keep asking for the next 30 years.
It's worked so far. Best wishes !
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"The authors acknowledge they were not able to control for all possible variables, and that their observational study does not prove cause and effect."
Geez that is quite a proviso. That one's mood over time can keep infections at bay? Sure thing with that statement. But that one's mood on the day of innoculation matters versus the next day when one might be in a bad mood? Sorry but that far exceeds belief. Who falls for this?
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Causality? Did it possibly mean that happier people get their shots?
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If you believe this story, I have a bridge I'd like to sell you.
Shame on the NYT for failing to put this story in context. The article should have pointed out that fewer than 50% of experiments can be replicated by other researchers. A result so 'unlikely' as this one should be taken with many grains of salt until it can be reproduced. While the story might be "Fit to Print", it should be accompanied by the information that the result has not yet been reproduced and may be incorrect.
See the BBC report http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-39054778 and many others.
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If true, then mine won't be very effective. I haven't been in a good mood since November 9th of last year.
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We should expect a shortage of tissues, pepto-bismol, ginger ale, chicken soup, etc. - better stock up now!
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Another weak headline not supported by the article or the research. About the only pertinent line is "The authors acknowledge they were not able to control for all possible variables, and that their observational study does not prove cause and effect." That the senior author seems to support this narrative does not give me confidence in her abilities either.
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Even if there is some (unknown) causal connection, how would this article help? Surely we can't tell people to be happy.
However, here's a much more useful piece of advice:
Vaccinations are more effective when administered in the morning
http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/latest/2016/04/vaccinations-more-effect...
Editor’s note: This comment has been anonymized in accordance with applicable law(s).
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Sorry but I find it difficult to believe the Government's line on vaccines for the elderly. They have a habit of overdoing good things to the point of serious harm. The following link is a highly respected group and their take on this question.
see:
http://www.cochrane.org/CD004876/ARI_vaccines-for-preventing-seasonal-in...
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I have no idea what the "government line" is on vaccines. I do know that thousands of reputable scientists doing their job have created vaccines that are useful for preventing death from the flu. When someone tells me they don't believe a scientist, I try to imagine them arguing with the plumber about whether they believe repairs are necessary under the sink. We hire people who are specialists so that they can do the jobs we can't. Unlike Plumber's, scientists have built in checks and balances in their work. Work is published and is constantly under scrutiny from other scientists. For a lay person to believe or not believe in vaccines is certainly up to them. But you're living in a fantasy world if you think that research has not already been done on the effectiveness of vaccines in the elderly.
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If what you say is true why are there 34 countries healthier than we are? The link i posted states the following.
"Authors' conclusions:
The available evidence is of poor quality and provides no guidance regarding the safety, efficacy or effectiveness of influenza vaccines for people aged 65 years or older. To resolve the uncertainty, an adequately powered publicly-funded randomised, placebo-controlled trial run over several seasons should be undertaken."
My point is that there is evidence that vaccines do harm as well as good and to assume only good can come from them is wrong. Anything can be overdone and the FDA has made more mistakes than I have room to list.
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Thank you for referencing the Cochrane Library.
They present a scientific view regarding weak studies in Medicine done by people who are required (or paid) to publish. Cochrane publishes actual science.
Self reported mood is not a scientific metric. Researchers have been trying to link anecdotal "good mood" to various conditions for many years, mostly to shame people who are unhappy about being ill.
I am not against vaccines by any means, but I think we need to be more objective about their value.
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