I'M SORRY

[xkatyx]

this thread has proberly been done to death, i really do appologise.

I'm freaking out about the flu/swine flu jab.

I know it is only my choice but i feel alone with it and would like to just talk to anyone who is struggeling with the same choice.

i have very limited contact with general public, small children, anyone with anything but i started a horrible cold last week after a day at my mum's. i know she's fit as a fiddle so didn't get it from her, and had spent most of the week at home with a bad cough so very little chance of coming into contact with anyone with cold/flu.

I don't think it matters how low risk you think you are from catching just a sniffle, it doesn't seem like a chance worth taking cause you can't protect yourself from everyone and everything.

I had the jab last year when I was pregnant -waited until was well into the last few weeks of pregnancy. Was very upset about it but felt I had no choice with an older DC to consider as well. DS2 perfect in every way so I don't regret having it.

But what about the mercury preservative in the vaccine? Should I be concerned about this?

They don't all contain mercury preservative. I was worried about this and asked my dr who checked and it specifically said does not contain What ever it is they call mercury - starts with a t.

Anyone see the report on channel four news about it yesterday?

I am 11+4 and had the jab this morning. Wasn't 100% sure when I went along but the nurse told me it is perfectly safe and there is no risk of miscarriage. She also said the confusion about whether or not to have the vaccine in the first trimester is because the old guidelines said "not before 10 weeks" and the new guidelines say "at any stage', plus the vaccine has not been "tested" on pregnant women as you cannot ethically test on pregnant women, however it has been used on many many pregnant women with no problems. She said she would definitely recommend it as there is such a risk of complications arising from catching flu in pregnancy. The scare stories that are floating about are just scare stories, the medical profession would not be campaigning for pregnant women to have something dangerous. I'm sure I will worry now until LO arrives and panic over the "what ifs" but I could just as easily not had the jab, caught flu and then panicked over different "what ifs".

I had the jab yesterday but they didn't want to give it to me in case I was pregnant, the leaflet in the box says not in the first trimester as not enough research has been done on its effects in early pregnancy.

I said that I had done my research - didn't mention MN - and the advice was it was safe to have it at any time. They let me sign a waiver saying I was happy to have it despite the recommendations.

I am probably note even pregnant anyway.

Scary though that healthcare professionals (and I am one myself) don't know the latest DoH advice.

As I have just had swine flu and it is still going round the office it is better to have the jab anyway in case I get reinfected.

The mercury preservative is called thimerasol. From my reading, GSK's Pandemrix contains it but the others don't.

Didn't see the Channel 4 news but the Independent reported the stats on deaths, which were within the normal limits for seasonal flu. Also, in half the deaths the patients had underlying health issues/complications. Also, the majority of people who contract it have mild symptoms.

Highheels - the scare stories are scare stories because the media has hyped the need to have it out of all proportion. The stats bear testament to that. Also, the posts show that there is a lot of confusion and conflicting info amongst the health professionals.

Tigerseye, if you had swine flu why did you get vaccinated?You would already be immune to it from having it naturally.

My husband had flu last year. He wasn't in a risk group. He was unconscious in intensive care for 4 weeks. It's astonishing, and testament to our wonderful NHS that he didn't die. I was 8 weeks pregnant when he came down with it. One of my sons was also hospitalised with side effects.

Get the flu jab. Though obviously not tonight. Tonight you should put your feet up and drink something festive, albeit low alcohol.

Having flu once does not give immunity plus there are 3 types of flu in the flu vaccine, swine flu being one of them.

had it last year, was about 9 weeks and ds was/is perfect. Got an eye infection a couple of days after but not sure if due to the jab or generally being run down (hadnt been v well). Had the jab again this year and didnt get an eye infection. Glad i had it as i am asthmatic and it got quite serious a few weeks later so swine flu would have been v dangerous for me (and ds). Arm was very achey for a few days but other than that it didnt bother me. only you can decide but i wouldnt hesitate to have it done again while pg and would let ds have it if offered. I also had again this year as others have said to ensure i was well enough to care for ds.

I have just heard of a 26 year old healthy woman who has passed away from it. So sad. There are real risks, but they are small. Life is risky. We just make the best choices we can.

Tigerseye, if you want to get vaxed against the other strains then that makes sense but your logic is flawed re swine flu. The vaccine is trying to trigger the same immune response that catching the disease would. If you have had the disease already, you will have that immunity. So if you genuinely had swine flu ( was it confirmed?) then having the vaccine to protect yourself against it was unnecessary, you are already immune to it.

They don't confirm swine flu in my area but my colleague with the same symptoms had hers confirmed so we have to make that assumption.