There has been some discussion, here on BYH, about how bad the flu had been, across the world and even around the world. In our area, we have schools close because so many students, teachers and support staff being out due to the flu.
I have talked, previously, about making Elderberry syrup, to prevent/cure cold and flu viruses. In the past month, DH and I have picked up colds. We immediately started taking an ounce of syrup four times daily, of our homemade Elderberry Honey syrup, and in two daÿs were back to feeling fine.
I've been told doctors are expecting things to get worse. It has been many years since we have had a major flu epidemic. So, they are expecting this flu could turn into a world wide pandemic.
Many people opt to get the flu shot. My question is . . . since we are having a major push to get the flu shot (from the doctor's office to pharmacies to the grocery store), and so many people are getting flu shots (DH and I NOT included), why are they expecting a world wide epidemic???? I have seen TV commercials that say, even if you get the flu shot, you could get the flu, "but just not as bad as if you didn't get the flu shot". I have heard of people who got the flu shot ending up in the hospital, because they got so sick from the flu. HUH????? No thank you! I'm not getting the flu shot!
I have a theory: I heard recently (on the news), that the current flu shot is not even the active current flu virus strain, and is only considered 10% effective. The reason the current flu shot is not the current flu strain is because the flu virus is capable of quickly mutating. So, even if the flu shot was the right strain when it was developed last year, the virus can mutate to the point that the vaccine is not effective, against the mutated virus, by the time you get the shot.
Think about it. We now have antibiotic resistant "super" bacteria, because bacteria can mutate, to protect themselves from the antibiotics, and way too many antibiotics have been given (not only to humans, but to the animals, whose meat we eat).
I'm not an expert in viral medicine, but I can't help but wonder, if bacteria can mutate and create "super bugs", why can't viruses create vaccine resistant "super viruses"???
Something else to consider, when getting a flu shot at a pharmacy or grocery store. Last year, a friend got his flu shot at a pharmacy. They gave him the wrong shot, and he had an anaphylactic reaction, that almost killed him. He ended up in the hospital for a week!